Relationship status

Gerritt Photography

[Mag 287]

"It's complicated."

Click.

- K a t h l e e n  K i m b a l l - B a k e r,  2 0 1 5


Inspired by Tess Kinkaid's Magpie Tales, a blog dedicated to the enjoyment of poets and writers, for the purpose of honing their craft, sharing it with like-minded bloggers, and keeping their muses alive and well.

Flash Fiction Friday - Shouldering

Here. Now.

By Kathleen Kimball-Baker

“PUSH!”

“I can’t,” Ellie whimpers, wobbling on her hands and knees.”

“Stop it, Ellie, push!”

“Oh, God! Help me please! I’m gonna die.”

Beth pivots, faces her young sister.

“Listen to me. The baby’s stuck by his shoulders. You’ve got to ...”

Ellie’s screams split open the night.

A dusky baby slips into Beth’s hands.

Wailing.

Image: "Newborn" by Izabella Casselman

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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 - Uh oh

Devolving

By Kathleen Kimball-Baker

“Howard! Wake up!”

“Huh? Whaaa?”

“You were howling, for God’s sakes!”

“You mean like a dog?”

“More like a wolf!”

“Daphne, did you forget to take your sleeping pills?”

“Howard, I’m telling you, you howled. Like aaaawoooooooooo.”

“Woman, you’re the one who’s howling.”

“Howard! Your nose! Your teeth! What’s happening to you?”

“I . . . don’t . . . knooooooooooooooooooow . . .”

Imagehttp://mattstratton.com by Matt Stratton

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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 - First encounter

Because You Called

By Kathleen Kimball-Baker

At his window two floors above,

backlit and rumpled,

he has watched her make the calls. 

You can’t hear me, can you?

He watches her lips.

Can you feel this?

Moist air enters his ear.

His breath quickens.

Everything,

nothing wasted.

You let me in. Why?

 Above her breasts, he traces:

“You needed me.”

True.

Image by HAMED MASOUMI

...................

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 - 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.