Blank Page

Ed stared at the empty computer screen. It stared back like a barren wasteland—nothing fertile; no sign of life. The standoff lasted for hours.

Totally out of ideas with a deadline looming, he cursed the day he volunteered to write a weekly column for the local paper. 

Ed rubbed his eyes, wracking his brain for inspiration. 

Suddenly, a news notification appeared on the screen’s top right corner: RESIDENTS WANT SWAMP DRAINED.

Ed smiled as his fingers hit the keyboard and the words flowed like a raging river.

He filed his story about career politicians well before the deadline.

*****

This 99-word story is my contribution to the July 20 Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge to write about a surprise from a desert.

Opportunity

Ed felt his blood pressure rising. Edna watched, wondering if her husband would remember.

They worked on it daily. Edna’s constant reminders to pause and take a deep breath would now be put to the test. 

Ed forced a smile that Edna knew wasn’t real. As he approached the scraggly kid with the blaring boombox, Ed repeated the words to himself. Opportunity. Opportunity. Every aggravation is an opportunity.

Edna held her breath. Ed faced the kid.

“Great day to be at the beach,” Ed said with calm affection.

“Yessir,” the kid replied while turning down the volume.

Edna smiled.

*****

This 99-word story is my contribution to the July 13 Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge to write a story using the emotion of anger.

Catnap

Edna pulled in the garage, grabbed a small bag from the passenger seat, and called for Ed. The trunk full of groceries required his assistance.

She found Ed sprawled on the sofa, snoring lightly. “Up, you catnapper!” she said while giving his ribs a tickle. 

Ed rubbed his eyes as he sat up, still a little groggy. “What’d you call me?”

“Catnapper. That’s what you are. Always catnapping.”

“Huh?” Ed replied, still trying to get his bearings.

“Catnapper,” Edna teased again.

Ed’s forehead crinkled as he struggled to his feet. “Edna, I’ve never stolen a cat in my life.”

*****

This 99-word story is my contribution to the July 6 Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge to write a story involving a cat.

Convertible

“No one needs a convertible, Edna.” 

“I didn’t say I needed it,” Edna replied. “I said it sure looks like fun.”

Ed grinned while shaking his head. “That’s not all you said.”

“OK,” Edna admitted. “I also said everyone needs to have some fun.”

The car salesman stood helplessly, turning his head from Ed to Edna and back again, not sure if he should say anything. He opted for silence.

Ed thought for a few moments, visualizing a drive along the beach on a sunny day. “There are cheaper ways to have fun.”

Finally, Ed smiled.

“We’ll take it.”

****

This 99-word story is my contribution to the June 29 Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge to "write a story that explores human needs."