Flash! Friday Challenge, February 20, 2015
Every Friday we're challenged to craft a short story. These days the story is limited to 200 words (with a 10-word leeway) and is crafted around a photo prompt. A special element is required, and it varies weekly. This week's requirement is a "moon" setting.
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| Liverpool — Hope Street. CC photo by Harshil Shah. Sculpture “A Case History” by John King. |
Here's this week's picture--and my story. I'm calling it "fun with idioms."
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“Stop mooning over that…that…man, for want of a better word.” Mama frowns and brushes the hair from my tear-soaked eyes.
“He’ll be back.” I grab his photo and trace his smiling face with my fingertips.
“You act like he hung the moon and stars.” Mama pulls the picture from my grasp and drops it facedown on the table. “He’s trouble.”
“He makes life exciting. He’s seen so much.” I reach for the picture again. She swats my hand away.
“He only visits once in a blue moon.” Mama’s voice is tinged with bitterness as she gets up to pace the room. “Stop wasting your life on false hope.”
“Any time with him is worth the wait. He promised to return as soon as he’s resolved some issues back home.” I watch Mama pause by the stack of suitcases perched expectantly by my bedroom door. Her fingers dance across the surface, leaving tracks in the thick dust.
“He promised you the moon. He didn’t deliver.”
“Not yet. Soon.” I sigh and turn my gaze to the window, straining to see the star system he calls home. Tonight it’s out of sight, hidden behind the Earth’s never-failing dance partner in the sky.