This was written for The Red Dress Club, a virtual writer's society.Concrit is always welcomed and appreciated!
Flash Fiction can be fun and a real challenge. This week focus on the words and the strength of each to contribute to your story. Write a 300 word piece using the following word for inspiration: LIFE.Word limit: 300 My count: 300 EXACTLY!
Reveling in the first warm day after a rainy spring, she lies back in the adirondak chair and stretches her legs out in the sun, feeling very feline as she luxuriates in the warmth.
Connor runs around the yard, as thrilled as she to be outdoors again. Porch to mailbox, to Mr. Rommel's rosebushes and back.
Getting caught up in her gossip magazine, she loses track of time and realizes it's been a few minutes since hearing Connor's joyful shrieks. Looking around the yard, she spots him in Mr. Rommel's yard, staring intently at the ground under their neighbor's giant maple tree.
Her curiosity piqued, she heads across the lawn to join her son. "What's goin on, Peanut?" Not wanting to startle him out of his concentration, she calls out when she's halfway there.
"Come look, Mommy! What is it?" His chubby toddler finger points at the base of the tree. "What is it? Can I poke it?" He's found a stick, which he now wields at the tree.
"Hang on, Con" She arrives next to him and sees what he's examining.
It's a mouse, or something. From the looks of it, it died some time ago, and is barely recognizable as an animal.
"Oh, sweetie..." kneeling down next to Connor, she gathers him onto her lap for The Talk. "It's a mouse, but he's gone to heaven..." Pause to search his face for some reaction. "When you're all done with your time on Earth, God calls your soul back to heaven, but your body stays here..." Pause. "But it's OK, because your soul is who you are, and that's up in heaven with God." Exhale. He doesn't appear to be traumatized; his eyes have returned to the decomposing rodent.
"Oh," he says, confused. "I thought it was just dead."
