Tuesday, May 13, 2014

STOP! Story Time!

My cousin Kat?e (the spelling is an long story from a long time ago) of Kate's Novel Idea introduced me to this fun group called WonHundred Word Wednesday. Every week, you get a prompt and write one hundred words off of it, then publish it on Wednesday. I've been meaning to write more, so I thought I'd give it a go. (I found out about this last Wednesday and had an idea for that prompt so there's two. Think of one as a bonus.)

Box of Wonders

After the funeral, Ellen was left with the task of settling the estate. She was, after all, Aunt Ellen's namesake and lived the closest, reasoned her brothers, eager to shirk responsibility.

The attic was a solid two steps below a Hoarders episode: she only found *one* dead squirrel.

What was more surprising was at the bottom of a box of pastel pantsuits -- a shoebox tied with twine. Ellen lifted out letter wrapped in a black lace negligee, the spicy smell of old paper and faded perfume wafting into the dust-chocked air.

Gingerly she put them back, burying her maiden aunt.

***

Neighbors

My grandma used to tell me, "No good comes from listening on the other side of closed doors, Sally." I guess I've always been a little too curious for my own good.

When I moved in, my roommate and I laughed at the newlyweds next door -- but the amusement quickly faded once their amour turned to passion of another kind, prompting us to keep the TV on to drown them out.

My roommate moved; it got too much for her. Now I sit here on the other side of the apartment, waiting for the gunshots I know will come.


That's all for now! Curious to read what others have imagined? Check out the blogs below!

9 comments:

  1. Gunshots!? Oh no. :( I think I would move out too.

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    1. Haha, me too! (The news is always on during my lunchbreak, so I've had the Oscar Pistorius trial on my brain for the last little while.)

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  2. I'm so excited to be reading your writing again! This is so like old times!

    I love your style -- the description of the attic being "two steps below a Hoarders episode" and only finding "*one* dead squirrel" made me laugh.

    And the Neighbors one is just classic. Freaky and emotional, getting us really on edge as we worry about the couple next door. Loved it!

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    1. Aw, thanks! I'm kind of super excited about swapping stories again :D

      I'm glad you like them both!

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  3. Great job on both those. Lots of visuals and could totally get into it in just those short snippets.

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    1. Thank you! I don't know how strict the 100 words rule is so I made sure every word counted!

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  4. Loved the 'one dead squirrel' line! well done :D

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  5. Oh, how sad! It has a great twist.

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  6. It all makes sense, and opens up new questions, right there a the end. Nicely done!

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