The Preacher's Message

Ed returned from the store with two bags full of stuff. Edna watched curiously as he emptied a dozen flashlights out of one bag and several boxes of batteries out of the other.

Ed loaded the batteries into the flashlights and tested each unit. He had a battery inserted backwards in one, and quickly fixed it. “I shall return,” he said as he placed the working flashlights back into the larger bag.

“What’s going on?”

“Just doin’ what the preacher said,” Ed replied.

“Huh?”

“His message really struck a chord, Edna.”

“Huh?”

“Tis the season to spread the light.”

*****

This 99-word story is my contribution to the December 16 Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge to write a story about "spreading the light."

Wrapping Paper

Edna searched the closets, knowing she stashed it somewhere. She always purchased beautiful Christmas wrapping paper on sale at the end of the season for the next year. Now it is next year. 

“No need,” Ed yelled from his study. “I’ve got my own.” He closed the door and laid out all the presents he bought for others. 

An hour later Ed emerged, feeling a sense of satisfaction as he placed his presents under the tree. Newsprint, paper towels, toilet tissue and cardboard— with lots of tape—did the trick for Ed.

“Found it!” Edna exclaimed from the back room.

The Debate

Edna turned on the TV, poured two glasses of wine, and summoned Ed. It was about to begin.

Ed grabbed his glass, took one look at the TV, and protested. “What’s this? The basketball game is about to start.”

Edna remained calm but assertive. “We need to watch the presidential debate. We have to stay informed.”

Ed grunted his displeasure but plopped in the chair.

The candidates came out firing. They took cheap shots at one another, bickered like spoiled children, avoided substantive questions, and criticized the panel.

After fifteen minutes, Edna had an idea.  “Ed, let’s watch some basketball!”

Just Browsing

Ed took his usual seat on the rustic bench outside Yvette’s. The exclusive women’s dress shop was a regular destination for Edna’s browsing.

“Are you actually going to buy something this time?” Ed asked.

“You have no idea what’s in there,” Edna answered with a hearty laugh.

Can’t be that expensive, Ed thought.

After a few minutes Ed decided to check it out for himself. He slipped in quietly, approached a rack of attractive dresses, and casually peeked at the price tag on a simple Lanvin Jersey Dress.

Back on the bench, Ed prayed that Edna remained a looky-loo.

*****

This 99-word story is my contribution to the December 9 Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge to "write about a looky-loo."

Making Bread

“Homemade is my specialty,” Ed proclaimed as he reached for the automatic bread maker.

He asked Edna to excuse herself, and turned down the TV to minimize any distractions. Working like a mad scientist, Ed meticulously measured and poured each of the ingredients: flour, water, dry milk, sugar, salt. He then made and double checked some precise computations regarding the desired finish time, and turned the unit on.

“We had everything?” Edna asked with concern from the adjoining room.

“We’re good,” Ed said as he waived her off. “Everything but yeast.”

Edna grinned, then added bread to her grocery list.

Delivery Nightmare

The truck stopped suddenly, blocked by a scraggly figure. He made the driver open the back, then rummaged through the packages. “I’ll be relievin' ye of this one, mate,” he said with a haughty laugh. The driver, decked out in all brown, knew not to protest. The perpetrator tied up the shaken driver and limped away.

Ed suddenly sat up in bed, sweat pouring from his brow. He startled Edna as he shook himself awake from another nightmare.

“The new TV we ordered!” Ed yelled groggily.

“Huh?”

“They got it.”

Edna looked at Ed. “Not the pirate dream again.”

*****

This 99-word story is my contribution to the December 2 Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge to "write a pirate story."