Motherhood (Sunday Photo Fiction)

Photo Credit: C.E. Ayr

Happy Mother’s Day to all who care for children. When I chose this photo as today’s prompt, it was not with Mother’s Day in mind; however, I believe it is perfect for the occasion.

Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge to write a 200-word story based on a photo prompt. Thanks to C.E. Ayr for providing this week’s challenging photo.

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Nate tenderly watched Anna as she dozed in the chair by the open window. A slight breeze rippled the curtains, granting relief from the heat of the Kenyan sun. Sensing she was being watched, Anna opened her eyes and smiled in love at the man looking down on her.

“I didn’t want to wake you, but there is something I want you to see. Grab your camera.”

They drove several miles to a large watering hole. There, a herd of elephants gathered to cool themselves from the heat. Nate pointed toward a female they called Kakena, meaning happy one.

“Over there.”

Anna eyes followed Nate’s direction. Seconds later, she noticed a young calf, hidden between Kakena’s massive legs.

“She must have delivered during the night,” said Nate. “Looks like we have a healthy girl!”

“Isn’t it a little early to know if it is a boy or girl?” teased Anna.

“Just a feeling,”he said. “What should we call her?”

Anna took her husband’s hand and placed it on her pregnant belly. Soon Anna would give birth to their own child. She smiled in love for the man beside her.

“Are you asking about the elephant, or your daughter?”

 

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This was just a little too serendipitous to not share. A hand-made bookmark from my talented daughter for Mother’s day:

 

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Speed Date

Photo Credit: A Mixed Bag

Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge to write a 200-word story based on a photo prompt. Thanks to Al Forbes (A Mixed Bag) for providing this week’s challenging photo.

This story is a sequel to another one of my stories, called  First Date. 

Wyatt’s fingers clicked the toggle switch on his Fidget Cube. After his fiasco date with Deb, Wyatt held little hope this one would be better.

“Don’t think of it as one date,” his friend Eric told him. “More like 20 dates for six minutes each. Even you can handle that.”

A lot could go wrong in six minutes, thought Wyatt. He was a nerd, destined to be alone the rest of his life.

Wyatt had almost convinced himself to leave when the first bell rang. A svelte redhead sat across from him, flashing a perfect white toothy smile. Red struck the first blow.

“Do you like movies, Wyatt?”

Visions of his first-and-only date with Deb flashed through his head. All Wyatt could muster up was a meek ‘Uh-huh.’

‘Have you ever seen the 40-Year-old Virgin? That movie is hilarious.”

Wyatt slinked into his chair, certain this was a personal jab.

“The Mummy is my favorite Karloff movie,” confessed Wyatt.

Red looked confused. “I thought the director was Kurtzman. No matter, Tom Cruise is awesome, don’t you think?”

When the bell rang, Wyatt slipped out the back door. Being single might not be so bad after all.

American Dream (Friday Fictioneers)

Friday Fictioneer is a weekly challenge to write a complete story in 100 words or less based on a photo prompt. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting this challenge and J.Hardy Carroll for this week’s prompt.

PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll

 ‘So, your Dad was a boxer?’ Mark turned to see Cecilia wiping away a tear.

‘Nah, he never boxed. Said he was too slow. But he loved the sport. Mantequilla was his idol.”

Across the street stood the old building owned by her father. It was his American dream-come-true. Then ICE came, banishing him from his home of 30 years.

‘Do you think you will be able to carry on his legacy? What do you know about running a business?”

Cecilia squeezed her husband Mark’s hand.

“I know enough,” said Cecilia. “I am my father’s daughter.”

 

One Night (Friday Fictioneers)

Photo Credit: Sarah Ann Hall

Seventeen vases stood in plain sight on the mantel; an unspoken confession of her love affair with William. She displayed them in order; starting with the small red vase that held the single rose  William gave her their first time together. A strange affair; they met one night a year. William  brought her flowers, she brought a vase. Together, a symbol of their union.

The next morning, an empty vase took its place with the others, symbol of her loneliness.

“I see you have a new vase.” Her husband’s eyes glanced over the top of the newspaper, then disappeared.  “Pretty.”

 

Friday Fictioneers is a weekly challenge to write a complete story in 100 words or less based on a photo prompt. Thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting this challenge and Sarah Ann Hall for this week’s photo prompt

A day at the beach

Every afternoon, Tommy and his mother strolled two blocks to the beach. At three years old, Tommy displayed a remarkable talent for building sandcastles. His father boasted that Tommy was ordained to become the next Frank Lloyd Wright. His practical mother pretended no such grandeur. To her, Tommy was just a little boy who loved playing in the sand.

 

Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding