Flash Fiction Friday - The tattoo artist

The Sign Read, ‘We Serve Royalty’

By Kathleen Kimball-Baker

“You’re sure?”

She nods.

“I just didn’t think it was allowed.”

“It’s not.”

“Right to left, correct?”

“Yes.”

When he is done, she lets down her kohl hair, covers up the tender skin at the nape of her neck,
pays in crisp bills.

A limo waits outside.

“Tell me what it means?”

“Sweet memories.” 

Image: Seventy Thirty a.m. Oil on board by Philip Geiger

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To join the fun, write any story you like in 55 words (no more, no less).

Then tell Mr. Knowitall, aka G-Man by leaving a a comment

on his own Flash-55 post.

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Thanks for the suggestion, Natalie!

Flash Fiction Friday - This one's for G-Man!

A Good Shave

By Kathleen Kimball-Baker

“Do you always wear such soft clothes?” he asked.

“Yes. Can’t stand anything rough on my skin.”

He grinned. “I’ll be back in just a minute.”

Sophie hugged her legs and surveyed Galen’s cozy study.

She liked his work, mostly nudes. 

“Oh, you shaved!”

Eyes closed, she touched his chin.

“It’s my birthday,” he whispered.

Image by Nestor M.


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To join the fun, write any story you like in 55 words (no more, no less).

Then tell Mr. Knowitall, aka G-Man by leaving a a comment

on his own Flash-55 post.

Flash Fiction Friday - Litter mates

Biscuits & Gravy

By Kathleen Kimball-Baker

“Pat?”

Anne’s eyes smiled even when closed.

Yes, darlin’?

“Remember that mongrel you brought home when you was a boy?”

"Hmmm. Mama wasn’t too happy."

“What’d we name her? Cookie?”

"Biscuit. And the two pups that lived, Gravy and Whisky."

“Just like you’n me . . .”

"Yup."

..........

“Hurts.”

Pat tapped bubbles out of the morphine shot. 

Image by Brad Holt
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To join the fun, write any story you like in 55 words (no more, no less).

Then tell Mr. Knowitall, aka G-Man by leaving a a comment

on his own Flash-55 post.

Flash Fiction Friday - Where ever that might be

Going Home

by Kathleen Kimball-Baker

 She waited on the bench, noticed a house key to her right.

Bummer, she thought. She’d lost hers before, too.

Her bus arrived and she boarded.

Three blocks south, an old man limped.

I can never go back.

A young couple peered into the grimy window.

“I can see us growing old here,” she smiled.

Image by jimccoy

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To join the fun, write any story you like in 55 words (no more, no less).

Then tell Mr. Knowitall, aka G-Man by leaving a a comment

on his own Flash-55 post.

Flash Fiction Friday - Mom

Best of Intentions

By Kathleen Kimball-Baker

Sally’s white hair sparkled in afternoon sunlight

She lifted her head from the couch.

“Where am I?”

 “You’re with me, Mom.”

“I don’t know what’s happening anymore.”

“It’s OK. I’ll take care of you, promise.” 

Light shifted, glistening off little white bristles on Sally’s chin.

Her daughter had promised once
she’d always keep those plucked.

Image 

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So about last week's 55 . . .


Honestly, I don't know where this stuff comes from.
Which is why I just love participating in Flash 55 Friday.
 I sit down and what comes flying down from my imagination
 and through my fingers into the keyboard is what you see.
I know that that I've red bits and pieces about Aboriginal people
of Australia and the Dream Time and creation stories.
I know that I've always wanted to go to Uluru, that it calls to me.
And so all that coalesced into last week's strange little tale.
That's as much as I know, folks!
(Hope that's enough 'splainin' for Ms Boomer!)


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To join the fun, write any story you like in 55 words (no more, no less).

Then tell Mr. Knowitall, aka G-Man by leaving a a comment

on his own Flash-55 post.

Flash Fiction Friday - Homecoming

Reunion

By Kathleen Kimball-Baker

The dreams came frequently now.

The closer she got, the surer she was.

The last of her water moistened the rims of her mouth.

“I’m coming, my love,” she whispered. 

Uluru 

There. Red and glowing, just like in her dreams.

She kneeled. Closed her eyes. Yes.

~

In Alice Springs, a new constellation was seen.

Image by nosha

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To join the fun, write any story you like in 55 words (no more, no less).

Then tell Mr. Knowitall, aka G-Man, by leaving a comment

on his own Flash-55 post.

Scalpel at the airport

Those stainless steel

carts stacked with

gray tubs for shoes,

belts, and other

precious things?

I hadn’t noticed their

gleaming surface

before, not till the day

I said to my last born

goodbye

That’s when 

I saw how

they resemble

operating tables,

and something carved

me open as I watched

him pass through the

security arch, disappear,

moving his life away.

Clean cut, no sutures,

left to heal with time.

So fast, no one even saw.

I bent my arm

to wave not grasp,

lifted my lips against

the gravity of sorrow

and blew him a kiss.

Image from marinabroere.blogspot.com

Flash Fiction - 7

Ring Toss

By Kathleen Kimball-Baker

He gambled.

Toss the ring into the lake -- or not?

She watched, silent, shivering.

Would he really?

Could he?

She’d given her word.

He his.

It wasn’t enough. He wanted more. 

Rain fell.

Noises in the woods. Branches snapping.

Voices. Shadows spreading.

The wind picked up.

“It’s now or never.”

Please?

“I can’t.”

He jumps.

Image by iecss

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To join the fun, write any story you like in 55 words (no more, no less).

Then tell Mr. Knowitall, aka G-Man by leaving a a comment

on his own Flash-55 post.