Flash in the Pan

Maisy sat down in a heap. Sweat poured off her brow as she swiped at it with a handkerchief.

Carl unsteadily walked up to her, checking his cane against a few of the stones beside the dirt track. He wobbled a bit when he stopped before her. “How much longer, Maisy?”

With a sigh, she squinted up at him. The sun was only high enough to peek over his shoulder. “I gots fo’ mo’ of these logs fo’ I can get to lunch. Why, ol’ man?”

He reached behind his back and produced a canteen. “Drink up and come to the house. You look like you’ve been pulled backward through a knothole. Enough chopping for today.”

Grateful for the water and the reprieve, the spinster replied, “Yesser.”

On the way back to the cabin, he wondered what would become of her when he died in the cold of winter.

Welcome to "Flash in the Pan"

Welcome to “Flash in the Pan”

This is a complete departure from what normally appears as my flash. Consider it me trying on hats. Coming in on the nose of 150 words, this flash features the word backward.

Only one left. Next week is the last week of the quarter. Are your flashes in? The deadline is 30SEP13 at 2359 EDT (GMT -4). No late entries will be considered.

Happy Flashing!


Why is the spinster chopping his firewood? Why will she die without him? Why does he not just marry her?

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18 Comments

  1. I guess he figures he won’t survive the hardships of another winter. And without enough firewood, he may be right.
    Binky recently posted..Wombania Fan Art Video IVMy Profile

    Reply
    • My guess is you are right. Not sure if it is because she is not finished the wood or something he has neglected to tell her.

      Reply
  2. Ohh…Red…this is good. Quite different from your norm, but a hat you wear well.

    Nicely done <3
    Candy recently posted..A Book ReviewMy Profile

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  3. Maybe I’m crazy, but why did I get the feeling that she would do just fine without him, walking along reminding her how tired she is. Perhaps it is he, waiting at home for some wood chips, that wouldn’t make it without Maisy?!?

    🙂
    BuddhaKat recently posted..Fine Favorite Fractals from FineArtAmerica…My Profile

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    • I know he needs her to do all the things he cannot. I think he really is being kind by telling her not to work so hard. xxx

      Reply
  4. What a tale you weave. His speech implies he may be the master of the house and he cannot marry her because he is white.

    He knows he’s sick and she is old and in need of help herself. They have no-one else in the world and have been together a long time.

    It’s hard to say this is your best but I really like this one. 🙂
    Tess Kann recently posted..Hot Flash – ReachMy Profile

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    • I thought I would try on a new genre. I am not so good with this particular era. I do much better with far more ancient and the future than I do here. Still, I do not see color in it. I see her more as a social outcast for not having married. I think they have been together a long time. xxx

      Reply
  5. Love the departure, take a bow. These two have quite the relationship, but I think he might be surprised. Doesn’t he know it is only married couples that follow each other quickly.

    🙂
    Valentine Logar recently posted..Standing ByMy Profile

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    • Hahaha! True. Mayhap, there will be someone else to take her in. I do think they have a long and special relationship. xxx

      Reply
  6. Yes they are all completed now thank you Red and this one of yours titled ‘Backwards’ is definitely a cool looking flash if I ever saw one 🙂 You need to experiment further me thinks 🙂

    Andro xxxx

    Reply
  7. Susan Precise

     /  September 29, 2013

    I think Maisy is a slave and Carl is her “master.” Without him she may be free, but then what?

    Marriage is clearly not an option.

    I like this one a LOT, Red.

    Reply
  1. Flash in the Pan: Backward | Rants and Raves

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