Last Friday’s 100 word microfiction was so well-received that I invited three writer friends to join me in this week’s challenge. We each responded to the prompt: “In a moment of weakness….”
My guest flashers are Christi Craig, Lisa Rivero and Kim Suhr, all accomplished Wisconsin writers across a variety of genres. Maybe next week, we’ll venture further for some other flashers. 
But now, enjoy our different takes on the same prompt.
The Antagonist by Christi Craig (95 words)
For weeks, Rick said no to Emily, citing fear of commitment and a slight, allergic reaction. But, in a moment of weakness, when she whispered, “for us,” into his ear and lit up his body, he caved. They bought a Retriever. Then, he sneezed, overdosed on antihistamines, and lost sleep. His boss fired him for his bloodshot eyes, saying he didn’t tolerate “dope heads!”
“It’s Hercules or me,” he told Emily back at home.
Hercules bared his teeth.
Emily showed Rick the door.
Rick’s eyes watered, his sinuses itched, and he growled at the beast.
Coach Knew by Pam Parker (96 words)
In a moment of weakness, Coach surrendered. He knew she shouldn’t throw the front aerial yet in competition, but she insisted. She was ready, at the twelve-year-old, I know everything stage. He waited as she rosined her hands, then stood, statue-waif waiting for the judge’s signal. Handstand straddle-through mount, perfect. Leaps, turns, back-handspring sequence, flawless. He squatted on the sidelines. She inhaled before the front aerial. Stuck it. Moved her eyes from the beam to his, taunting, “See?” Then she stepped off the beam and fell, stunned on the mat. He stood, wishing he could be wrong sometimes.
Self by Lisa Rivero (100 words)
In a moment of weakness on an early spring morning when blue hyacinths broke earth and lacy frost melted, she let go, fatigued by diligence, overcome by the effort of shoring up castle walls she had built with care for so long, and through a chink in her defenses the tide came in, at first a thin trickle then crashing waves that flooded her boundaries and washed away all by which she wished to be defined until even the name she was given at birth dropped off, leaving her as one grain of sand among many, warmed by the sun.
A Rock by Kim Suhr (98 words)
In a moment of weakness, I crept to the Meyers’, rang the bell and hid behind the bushes while Dick looked for who’d done it. I’ve been doing things like this ever since the anniversary: calling 867-5309 and asking for Jenny, loosening salt-shaker caps at restaurants, hiding a bologna sandwich in my closet to see what color mold grows on it. Every morning I vow to stop. A woman my age. Who’s borne the most horrible burden a mother can bear. I’m a rock. Everyone says it. Then why can’t I stop acting like a 12 year-old boy?
So, there you have it – four very different takes on the same prompt: in a moment of weakness. I have my favorite, and it’s not mine.
Happy #writing!
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10 Comments
Pam, first, thank you so much for inviting me to be a Friday Flasher! What a wonderfully varied collection.
Christi, as I read “The Antagonist” I saw every single moment in my mind, and I love the last word and how it resonates with different meanings.
Pam, in a short space you made me feel curious, nervous, relieved, then disappointed and sympathetic. The way you convey action in the piece works very well.
Kim, the voice drew me in right away, and you’ve definitely created a rich character that is alive and complex in only 98 words.
What fun!! Well done, everyone.
You are so welcome, Lisa, but really, I thank you. I am thrilled w/the variety in the responses — and, the terrific writing! I’m hoping this will become a regular Friday feature on my blog – we’ll see. Hope you, Kim and Christi will help spread the word so others can find your marvelous pieces.
Thanks for including me, Pam, in such a great group of writers.
There are so many things I love about flash fiction, like the challenge of giving the reader a snippet of a life in so few words (but a full snippet) and the images that emerge so strong.
Like in yours, “Leaps, turns, back-handspring sequence, flawless. He squatted on the sidelines.”
In Lisa’s, “…on an early spring morning when blue hyacinths broke earth and lacy frost melted….”
And, in Kim’s, “…loosening salt-shaker caps at restaurants, hiding a bologna sandwich in my closet to see what color mold grows on it. Every morning I vow to stop. A woman my age.”
You’re very welcome, and I thank you again! This was challenging, but a lot of fun for me…. hoping to sign up some other flashers for next week.
Flashers, huh huh…
Thought you’d appreciate that.
Four fantastic flash fables!
Thanks Carol – glad you stopped by.
A fine collection, each one satisfies in its own little space. If I were able to grant another few pages to just one, I’d love to follow the further adventures of the character in “The Rock” — I have a feeling she’s capable of almost anything!
Isn’t she an intriguing character? I agree – would love to know what that woman does next!
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[...] morning I’d like to direct you to Pam Parker’s blog, Finding Meaning with Words, where I am honored to be one of Four Flashers today. Thank you, Pam, for the opportunity to be [...]