Wrapping Through Life + Memories of School Fundraisers

Did you ever have to sell anything for school? 

It was cool because it was double sided.

One year at Dilworth Elementary, we sold Sally Foster wrapping paper (which, I just found out via Google, has been discontinued). The PTA did a little fashion show demonstrating how awesome wrapping paper was (I'm not kidding about this. There were full wrapping paper outfits.) and I wanted SO BADLY to get something cool out of the prize magazine. 

I had to share all of my relatives with my sister and all the other neighborhood kids got to the old people on my street first, so Kendle and I both had only enough points to get little clackers, which my mom absconded because she was better at playing with it than we were. She made so much noise and Kendle and I hated it — talk about a role reversal. (Woah. I didn't know that life event needed to be aired.)

If my wrapping paper experience had been a little different, this might have happened to me:

"Would you like to buy some wrapping paper, ma'am?" I launched into my sales pitch once the door creaked open.

"Let's have a look — come inside for a cookie?" She warbled.

Invited inside? That prize for selling the most for my school fundraiser was in the bag!

"Hmmm, these are a little pricey." She perused the pages as I munched away. "I can't buy today. I have to go . . . iron . . . my cat."

As she closed the magazine, my eye caught her cupboards and a cat looked back at me. And another and another.

"I better go." I hightailed it out. Those prizes weren't so great anyway.

This short story is a part of the illustrious Flash Fiction Friday. Read the other lovely stories, spun off the dialogue prompt: "I have to go . . . iron . . . my cat." at the links below!

Brianne Dosch * Tiffany Jones * Kat!e Larson * Quinlyn Shaughnessy * Lady Violet

Human Again (but not the song from Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast')

When he came to, he was holding a feather. He was holding. With a hand! He let go and touched his face. No beak, but a nose and a mouth. Smooth skin, not soft feathers. His face grew wet in the bright sunlight, something he hadn’t been able to do for years. He lifted the rough sleeve of the shift to his face to wipe the tears away, just noticing the feathers poking out from the other unfinished sleeve.

“I’m so sorry, brother.” Aoife's voice carried over the crowd. “There wasn’t time!”

“What for?” He replied, laughing. “I’m whole again!”

This short story is a part of the illustrious Flash Fiction Friday. Read the other lovely stories, spun off the prompt: When he came to, he was holding a feather. from The Sarcastic Muse at the links below!

Brianne Dosch * Tiffany Jones * Kat!e Larson * Quinlyn Shaughnessy * Lady Violet

Learning Curve

“I would like to apologize for what is about to happen,” she whispered, then flipped the switch.

Nothing.

“Um, looks like we’re having technical difficulties.” She snapped the switch back and forth, then batted at her wispy bangs. “Hold please.”

“Eunice!” Her employer growled. “This is the second time this month.”

“Sorry, sir,” she called from behind the machine. “Something must have happened when I oiled the parts yesterday.”

“And she came so highly recommended,” her employer moaned to the gagged man under the giant chrome prong.

“I think I’ve got it!” She flipped the switch and green slime exploded everywhere.

This short story is a part of the illustrious Flash Fiction Friday. Read the other lovely stories, spun off the prompt: “I would like to apologize to everyone for what is about to happen,” she said, then flipped the switch. from Veiled Inspiration at the links below!

Brianne Dosch * Tiffany Jones * Kat!e Larson * Quinlyn Shaughnessy * Lady Violet