Loss
Check out lady asks how I am?
“All the tomatoes in my garden died, disease.”
She continues scanning, chewing gum.
Waiting for the bus I mention the tomatoes to a fellow. The young man’s eyes transfer from a phone screen to me then back to the phone.
Laboring up stairs to my room I glance at the dead tomato plants in a window above. Leaning over the bannister I explain to a neighbor below what happened.
“Well, I can’t buy gas this week…” he shouts.
Sid curls in my lap. Soft, warm and purring. I wondered what he was saying.
Awake
We never would have been friends if not for my many olive branches and shunned invitations.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?
We’re family after all…blood is thicker than water?
There’s one problem. All the above is only true if you’re not a Pollyanna ignoramus.
A blood relative plots to destroy me while I’m looking the other way.
Decades old memories creep in. Sneers, name calling, condescension, superiority boasting.
But what about the olive branches and invites?
Back then, I didn’t understand how a sibling could dismiss another without regret, remorse, longing.
Now, I understand.
Invasion
Monsters roar in the distance and nearby. Rarely do they take a breath.
They didn’t used to be around. I wish they would leave, never come back. They’re scary, nasty and dirty. Even if they sound far away, turn in the opposite direction and run as fast as you can.
It wasn’t that long ago when there weren’t any monsters around. The neighborhood was peaceful, not yucky and scary. We could go about enjoying natural wonders like birds, light breezes, children playing. That sort of thing.
Not any more. Those days are gone. And so are most of the leaves.
Thank you for reading my flash fiction stories!
Love, Shelley
Hebrews 12 says that Jesus is the author of our faith. Amen.
What blessing have you been given that you are most happy about?
For me it is that I wasn't appointed to be a "judge."
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