HOW DO I LOVE THEE?

Flash Fiction for the Purposeful Practitioner is a weekly writing challenge designed for both the flash fiction newbie and the more experienced writer. It is the desire of this challenge to allow writers the opportunity to clear the cobwebs from a more tedious and involved project.
Our Host Roger Shipp

FLASH FICTION FOR THE PURPOSEFUL PRACTITIONER

Picture Copyright

How Do I Love Thee?

There it was sticking out of the torn lining of the battered book of sonnets by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The poem I'd written to Elise. The book was sitting on the corner of the desk where my wife Jane, was working.

I stepped into the den. "Hey, gorgeous. Why don't we pack a picnic lunch and enjoy this beautiful day in the park?"

She looked up. Smiled. Then sat back in her chair mulling over my idea.

"Sounds romantic. Why don't we take a bottle of champagne? That way we can discuss my million-dollar divorce settlement. And you can celebrate the fact that I won't sue Elise for alienation of affection."

I chuckled. "Sounds like a plan. We'll work this out over caviar and champagne."

After she consumes the digitalis, we'll walk to the highest point in the park to admire the view. 

Her black heart won't see a dime.

150 words

Yolanda Renee © 2016

To read the other flashes click

HERE!

****************   Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with a passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

                         

           ***       

HER SMILE

Our host Barbara W Beacham provides the challenge. All you have to do is finish the story using 100-150 words, not including the sentence provided. 

Don’t forget to use the opening sentence… This challenge runs from Monday to Sunday!

Get creative and have fun finishing the story!

Please include the photo with your bit of flash and a link back to the original post. 

Now have some fun!

Today's finish the story begins with:

“From her small balcony, the witch watched the world go by.”

Mondays Finish the Story

HER SMILE

“From her small balcony, the witch watches the world go by.”

     You think you're safe, bitch! Not from me. Mark watched as the object of his lust enjoyed coffee on the balcony of her family's house.

     She'd met him for coffee, but the date ended suddenly when he told her he thought their children would be exceptionally good looking, after all, they were both perfect specimens.

     She'd refused to consider another meeting. He apologized, tried to laugh off his comment, but she wouldn't listen.

     Mark fiddled with the guns scope, but soon he had her sighted. She looked right at him and smiled. Mark hesitated.

     At that same moment, another driver lost control of his vehicle taking Mark's option from him.

*****

     A nurse wiped the spittle from his chin and wheeled him into the sunshine. Paralyzed from the neck down, Mark can only watch, but all he sees is that smile. Her smile haunts his every conscious and unconscious moment.

*****

150 words

Yolanda Renée © 2015

*****

Please feel free to upload your story by clicking on the little blue frog to add your story to the list!

*****

WEP-Write...Edit...Publish

Have you checked out the challenges?

October is Halloween Frights!

Decemberis Holiday Celebrations that are out of this world!

COFFEE BLACK

 COFFEE BLACK

“The barista shook his head. That hedge couldn’t have moved closer overnight. Could it?”

Don't be foolish, you're just imagining things.

"Coffee, black, please?" a stranger demands.

"Yes, sir. Anything for a connoisseur of the bean?"

His face contorts. "A what? What did you call me?"

"Oh, no sir. A connoisseur an expert, someone who loves the pure taste of the coffee bean. No insult intended." I add a bear claw to his order. "No charge, please, enjoy."

"Shit, I'm sorry." He wipes his forehead with a napkin. "I'm exhausted, been driving all day. Still have hours to go. Never drink the stuff, but I need to stay awake. Thanks." He picked up the bear claw and took a bite. "Now that I consider myself a connoisseur of, d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s."

I cringe, smile, and switch off the open sign. He'll be dead before he gets the key in the ignition. His tall, lanky body is perfect.

Time to start that row of Gumby shaped hedges.

150 words

Yolanda Renee © 2015

*****

Mondays Finish the Story

http://www.bing.com/images/search?

GUMBY

Since Gumby and I are too old is so unfamiliar and folks don't get the gist of the story

I thought I should post this. :) 

Enjoy!

*****

In the near future consider a new Flash Fiction Challenge with the WEP