Breathless

Breathless

The storm bellowed on the other side of the glass. It was as if Mother Nature was on my side, her angst and anger lashing out on the world, as my body betrayed me. Screams vibrated against the walls until my throat seared.

“We cannot find a heartbeat…” The doctors earlier words replayed in my head as I lay mangled in the delivery room. My husband cried out. I hissed. I hated them all for the commotion down below.

The screaming continued, but it was no longer my own.

Faulty machines, they said.

My baby sighed, full of life.  

 

The July 15, 2015 prompt over at Carrot Ranch Communications: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a breathless moment. Write about life.

 

Till next time,

~AJP

Man, it’s a hot one…

Summer has quickly brandished its fire breathing head. Though, I must admit, this summer has not been as excruciating as some June/July days in the past. Usually by this time we have started the count down to how many days in a row we reach the hundred degrees. It is not a fun game. Being fully immersed in summer time, the heat is on everyone’s mind. How to stay cool, how to avoid sunburns, how to avoid an extremely high electric bill with the AC running full blast…

Part of my summer goals are to get back into the swing of writing (and blogging) on a normal basis. So this week I participated in Charli’s flash fiction prompt.

The July 1, 2015 prompt over at the Carrot Ranch Communications: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes the phrase, “Man, it’s a hot one.” You can choose a gender neutral replacement for the slang, “man” or any other general address. The phrase can lead, end or show up in the middle of the story. If the prompt leads you to a creative idea to alter the phrase, do it! And stay cool this week!

The Devil’s Contract

As his time grew near, I waited patiently. Nothing had changed in the last ten years; aside from his growing bank account and hairline.

Never did I receive a thank you, though I wasn’t in it for the gratitude. Hope that they would change, be better, that is what kept me in the game.

Soon enough his screams reverberated throughout the endless night. A flick of my wrist silenced him, recognition dawned bright. “Please!”

I muttered, “Man, it’s a hot one down here. You had your chance, you blew it.”

He wasn’t my first, he wouldn’t be the last.

 

Till next time,

~AJP

Five Photos, Five Stories (Day 5)

Moonflower 

My moon stirs above,

Searching for the light within, 

I break bonds below. 

~

My final post for the Five Photos, Five Stories challenge. Take a look back at days 1-4; 

Day 1 – Cloudy Days

Day – 2 Tomatoes 

Day – 3 The Road 

Day – 4 Overboard 

~

I was nominated by the awesome Sarah Brentyn in a Five Photos, Five Stories (in five days) challenge. Here is my Day 5 photo and my story. Thank you Sarah for the much needed kick in the blog. It has been a fun challenge. Now I nominate Meredith Shafer to take on this fun photo challenge. She is a fellow blogger that is so full of positive words and inspirational kindness, you should go check her out. 

The “rules” of the Five Photos, Five Stories Challenge are:

1) Post a photo each day for five consecutive days.
2) Attach a story to the photo. It can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or a short paragraph. It’s entirely up to the individual.
3) Nominate another blogger to carry on the challenge. Your nominee is free to accept or decline the invitation. Just have fun.
Till next time, 

~ AJP

Five Photos, Five Stories (Day 4)

The sun is out

The day is bright

Let’s go out for a picnic.

The tide is high

The fish will bite

Let’s go out for a boat ride.

The debris is near

The wind is might

Over you go for mourning.

~

I’ve been nominated by the awesome Sarah Brentyn in a Five Photos, Five Stories (in five days) challenge. Here is my Day 4 photo and my story. Thank you Sarah for the much needed kick in the blog. Now I nominate Mia Pleasant to take on this fun photo challenge. She is crazy busy, but here is hoping that she can squeeze in a fun challenge. I’d love to see what she came up with.

The “rules” of the Five Photos, Five Stories Challenge are:

1) Post a photo each day for five consecutive days.
2) Attach a story to the photo. It can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or a short paragraph. It’s entirely up to the individual.
3) Nominate another blogger to carry on the challenge. Your nominee is free to accept or decline the invitation. Just have fun.

Till tomorrow,

~AJP

Five Photos, Five Stories (Day 3)

The Road

We watched the dirt road disappear, her arm accidentally brushing against mine.

We skipped across the newly paved road, her fingers confidently intertwined through mine.

We sped down the busy road, her head comfortably resting near mine.

We lagged along the empty road, her hand nervously squeezing on to mine.

I walked past the abandoned road, her beautiful memory all mine.

I’ve been nominated by the awesome Sarah Brentyn in a Five Photos, Five Stories (in five days) challenge. And I accepted. Today is my Day 3 photo and story. Thank you Sarah for the much needed kick in the blog. This has been fun. Now I nominate D. Bradford to take on this fun photo challenge. If she accepts, I can’t wait to see what she comes up with!

The “rules” of the Five Photos, Five Stories Challenge are:

1) Post a photo each day for five consecutive days.
2) Attach a story to the photo. It can be fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or a short paragraph. It’s entirely up to the individual.
3) Nominate another blogger to carry on the challenge. Your nominee is free to accept or decline the invitation. Just have fun.

Till tomorrow,

~AJP