My 1st Attempt at Flash Fiction!

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Author Cherie Reich is currently hosting her 2nd Annual Flash Fiction Blogfest and, in my typically reckless way, I thought, "Wow, I've absolutely no experience with writing flash fiction...so I should totally give it a shot!"

Here are the rules:

1. Entries must begin with the two words: Lightning flashed.

2. Entries must be 300 words or less and be in prose.

3. Entries must be posted on your blog between May 21 - 23.

4. You must sign up in the linky to have your entry be counted.

On May 25, Reich will announce the six finalists and open voting through May 28th.

On May 29th, Reich's third year blogversary, she will announce the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners as well as a random winner selected from the participants list.

There are prizes, y'all! So here's my entry, which I lovingly titled Mom Guilt.

~

Lightning flashed and I slapped my hand over my mouth to keep from screaming the house down. Nothing like a bit of middle-aged mom guilt to set you on edge, especially in the wee hours of the morning, as you stealthily creep out of someone else’s house.

Mom guilt. Because I finally gave in to all the longing and desire I’d buried in the dank closet of my tortured, tired soul, for so very long... Hah – that sounded like something my thirteen year old might write in her diary. Excuse me – her journal.

In fact, I didn’t feel like a mom at all, but a teen, trying to sneak out without waking her parents. Only, you know, less obnoxious.

“What are you doing?”

I jumped in place and the shoes I carried thunked to the floor. “What the hell do you think? Our kids will get back from that camping trip at eleven, so I’m going home.”

Greg rubbed the sleep from his eyes before crossing his arms. His longish floppy locks, adorably crumpled, were at odds with the serene, soul-searching look in his wise, dark eyes. I felt like I was being turned on by Spock.

“This could be your home.”

Thrilled and terrified, I sputtered, “But, but…our kids! Our exes! Our mortgages, our distinctly complicated lives!”

Lips I’d warmly received only a few hours earlier curved in a smile. “These can all be worked out. You just have to want to.”

My heart surged as nature’s fiery strobe light illuminated us. “And…you want to? Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” He reached for me. “Stay.”

I exhaled slowly, then gave him my trembling hand. “Fine. But I’m not making any promises.”

A gentle tug and he enveloped me. “You already have.”

~

So, there it is. Hope y'all enjoyed it!