Flash in the Pan – Plane

Stanley shook out the newspaper at the breakfast table Saturday. Lori opened her mouth and closed it. She squinted at her husband for a second and left the room.

“More coffee, honey?” She held out the pot. He grunted. She topped up his mug anyway, slammed down the pot, and tossed the monster telephone directory on the table.

Her husband gaped as his wife flipped the pages with a vengeance.

He cleared his throat. “What’re you doing?”

“Nothing.”

“No, really.”

“Just looking for a carpenter.”

“What for?”

The laundry-room door keeps scraping the floor.”

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“I’ll buy a new one.”

“Don’t worry. I know you’re too busy.”

“I’ll do it.”

“It’s okay. I’ll hire a professional and the job’s done.”

“I’ll fix the damn door.”

“When?”

“I said…”

“You’ll need to plane it. Do you have one?”

Stanley blinked.

“Uh-huh. Like you put the screen on the front door last September.”

~ * ~

This is for the Winter Quarter of Flash in the Pan. The theme: Boys and Their Toys. For rules and how to join, click: http://mommasmoneymatters.com/flash-fiction/

The word limit for Plane is 150 words. I used all of them.

Flash in the Pan – Models

Tiny led the way, cupping his hand at shoulder height in a come-hither fashion.

Creak.

“Ahh.” His friend, Sammy, whimpered and bit a knuckle as he crashed into the hallway wall.

“Don’t be such a girl. Do you want to see or not?” Tiny turned the glass doorknob to the last room.

“W-oo-w! How come you never showed me before?” Sammy shoved up his thick glasses.

Tiny pushed out his chest and rocked on his heels. “Didn’t think you’d be interested?”

“Awesome. How many models are here?”

“About a hundred, different years and makes. Don’t touch.”

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“Took your brother a long time, huh? You ever help?”

“Nah. The glue smell makes me puke.”

“This black car—oops.”

“I said…”

Sammy’s mouth dropped. Eyes enormous, he let out a squeal.

Creak.

On his knees, ears on fire, Tiny’s chin whipped over his shoulder.

“What are you boys doing in here?”

“Becca.”

~ * ~

The Winter Quarter of Flash in the Pan is here. The theme: Boys and Their Toys. For rules and how to join, click: http://mommasmoneymatters.com/flash-fiction/

The word limit for Models is 150 words. I used them all.

Flash in the Pan – Blocks

Danny Maloonie ground his teeth for the third time in five minutes. Snow swirled and gusted across his windshield. The devil of winter and enemy of cars had arrived.

“Was snow forecast?” He glared at his younger brother, Frank, who shrugged.

“If it had, we’d still have to get home.”

“Yeah, yeah. Dad would pop a kidney if we didn’t come when summoned.” Danny slumped.

“What could have happened?”

“I don’t care. Damn snow. I’m not ready to put this car on blocks for the winter.”

“It’s a car, bro, not your girlfriend.”

“What do you know? A’71 Dodge Challenger is special, and I paid for it myself.”

“Turn that up, will you?” The announcement blared, ‘Mattress King, Sean (Shinbone) Maloonie has suffered a heart attack…’ Frank cut the radio.

Mouths dropped, the young men gawked at each other. “Uncle Sean? No way,” they said together.

Frank blinked. “Poor Dad.”

~ * ~

The Winter Quarter of Flash in the Pan is here. The theme: Boys and Their Toys. Rules and how to join, click: http://mommasmoneymatters.com/flash-fiction/

The word limit for Blocks is 150 words. I used them all.

Flash in the Pan – Radio

 

“You like the Winking Judge, Georgie?”“Yeah.” The nine-year-old grinned and pulled a scarlet earlobe. “Sounds like an announcer. He said we can do it again next week. Please, can I?”

His father pursed his lips, squeezing back a smile. “I disappear for two minutes and you’re buddies all ready? He’s gotta be ninety or thereabouts, one of the oldest members.”

Georgie’s freckles faded into blush. “How come I never heard about amateur radio operators before?”

“You’ve been fixated on Xbox and iPhone games.”

“This is cool. You’ll teach me?”

“The boy scouts have programs for young people like you.”

“Yeah? I heard of them.”

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His father cocked his head. “In a disaster or emergency, cell phones may die, but not these babies. Your mom used to be a YL.”

“What’s that?”

“A female amateur operator: young lady. Her voice caught my attention. That’s how we met.

“Seriously. My Mom?”

~ * ~

Flash in the Pan – Football

Brutus shuffled, his knees stiff as crowbars and feet far apart. Harris poked him in the ribs, his eyes blazed and cheeks flushed. “Hey, hey, hey. Lookit. The lineup’s down the sidewalk. Good thing we arrived early.”

“Poor chumps in the rain.” Brutus stifled a low groan. “This standing is killing me.”

“Why’d you come if your knees are acting up?””

“Took Tylenol 3s but they haven’t kicked in. Damn wet weather.”

“You should drop maybe fifty or eighty pounds. Your doc never tell ya?”

An eye drooped, Brutus exhaled a gust of coffee breath. “You never played football, you don’t know. Once you’re crippled and can’t move, you end up like this.”

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“Yeah. Got an idea. It’s the playoffs, right? Say we buy at least six extra tickets.”

“To scalp?”

“Easy money, man. Provide and collect.”

“Could backfire…”

“One day tickets will be sold online.”

“Don’t do it, Harris.”

~ * ~

The Winter Quarter of Flash in the Pan is here. The theme: Boys and Their Toys. For the rules and how to join, click: http://mommasmoneymatters.com/flash-fiction/

The word limit for Football is 150 words. I used every last one.

Flash in the Pan – Figures

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“What’s in the box Gramps?” Lucas bounced on the sofa beside him.

“Something special from when I was your age.” He patted the box and stared into the distance.

“Lemme see. Lemme see.”

“These GI Joe action figures were made popular 50 years ago this month.”

“Ew. You played with dolls?”

“You liked the Star Wars collectibles didn’t you?

“Yeah, but they weren’t huge like Barbies.”

“You don’t want these?”

“Sorry, I like Minecraft better.”

~ * ~

The Winter Quarter of Flash in the Pan is here. The theme: Boys and Their Toys. For the rules and how to join, click: http://mommasmoneymatters.com/flash-fiction/

The word limit for Figures is 75 words. I used all of them.

Flash in the Pan – Surfboard

“Daddy, I want to come with you and Uncle Teddy.”

Fingering the scabby laceration from eyebrow to ear, Jack winked at his brother. “I’ll ask Mom.”

“Can we buy ice cream after, Uncle Teddy? It’s hot today.” The four-year-old grasped his battered hands, smiled and batted thick lashes.

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Teddy zeed to her level. “I hoped you’d suggest something cold.”

Jack swept her up. “It’ll be boring. Daddy’s going surfboard shopping.”

“I want to help Daddy.”

~ * ~

The Winter Quarter of Flash in the Pan is here. The theme: Boys and Their Toys. For the rules and how to join, click: http://mommasmoneymatters.com/flash-fiction/

The word limit for Surfboard is 75 words. I used every last one.

Flash in the Pan – Motorcycle

“Happy fortieth, Mom.”

“Thanks, Bobby. Roses—my favorites.”

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Cindy’s husband squirmed as if he needed the restroom. Face flushed and eyes ablaze, he grabbed her hand. “Remember your motorcycle lessons?” He cleared his throat.

“Y-e-s?”

“You passed, and I bought you a Cruiser too—”

“What?” She bounced up and down and flung her arms around Tom’s neck. “Where is it?”

His eyebrows twitched like poodle tails. “Don’t stand there. Hustle, hustle.”

“Bobby, come on.”

~ * ~

The Winter Quarter of Flash in the Pan is here. The theme: Boys and Their Toys. For the rules and how to join, click: http://mommasmoneymatters.com/flash-fiction/

The word limit for Motorcycle is 75 words. I used every last one.

Flash in the Pan – Soldiers

A shoe-box-size package almost tripped him while exiting the front door. The wrapping appeared worn and pre-used. His name and address were scrawled in shaky handwriting. Intrigued, Maximillian dropped his attaché and checked his watch. Ripping the paper, he tipped the tissued innards. Countless soldiers he’d long ago painted with his grandfather tumbled out with a note.

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Your grandfather is gone. Enjoy with your children. / Grandma Wallace

Tears blinded him, family lineage long-halted by now.

~ * ~

The Winter Quarter of Flash in the Pan is here. The theme: Boys and Their Toys. For the rules and how to join, click: http://mommasmoneymatters.com/flash-fiction/

The word limit for Soldiers is 75 words. I used every last one.

Flash in the Pan – Gun

Norman unwrapped the oil cloth with care, hands unsteady. His side-kick, Stinky, hiccuped and wiped damp hands on baggy jeans. “Give me some elbow room, will ya?” His taunt forehead glistened.

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“Lemme at it. You got ammo?”

“What for? Wow. It’s heavy but a good heavy.”

“Lemme at it.” Stinky’s hands shot out to grab the gun.

“Not yet.”

“Where’d you get it?”

“I’m holding for Butch’s friend—a favor.”

“My turn.” Stinky twirled the cylinder, released the safety, and aimed at Norman’s head.”

“Never point…”

Kapow!

Stinky dropped the piece. His jaw dropped. The clock struck four. He ran.

~ * ~

The Winter Quarter of Flash in the Pan is here. The theme: Boys and Their Toys. For the rules and how to join, click: http://mommasmoneymatters.com/flash-fiction/

The word limit for Gun is 100 words. I used every last one.