Well here we are for another week of “In Other Words” the flash fiction writing challenge where Patricia gives us a quote and we have to write a story on it. You can find other contributions to the challenge at

http://patriciasplace.me/2015/03/25/celebrate-the-journey/

This week’s quote is…

“Stop worrying about the potholes in the road
and celebrate the journey”
Barbara Hoffman

I found him sitting in his living room with the curtains drawn. The floor was littered with empty bottles. He hadn’t changed his clothes in days.

“What are you doing to yourself son?” I held my hand to my nose trying to block out the stench of  stale sweat and booze which assailed my nostrils.

“She’s gone dad. She took the kids. What am I going to do?”

Tear stains streaked dirty lines down his cheeks etching age and weariness in every corner.

“You are going to open the curtains and start living.” I said sternly.

I threw back the thick velvet drapes she had chosen and thought to myself they would be the first things to go. The sunlight glinted off the photos of my grandchildren. He squinted in the brightness. I felt a lump of pity rise in my throat.

“Go shower.” I ordered.

Once I heard the water running I cleaned up the empties and tossed the wrappers of too many nights of take out into the trash.

My son had fallen down a  hole in his heart. It was deep but then I had climbed out of similar pits. We could do this together.

I went to the radio and turned up the music.

It’s time once again for Patrcia’s weekly flash fiction challenge. You can read the rules and follow along by clicking the link below.

http://patriciasplace.me/2015/03/04/the-problem-is/

This week the quote we are working from is

“Lots of people talk to animals. Not many listen, though. That’s the problem.”
Benjamin Hoff

A Total Misunderstanding

by JE Lillie

“Tell me Verle, How is it we always end up holding the bag?”

“We are beasts of burden Malcolm. Surely you don’t expect your human to carry it.”

“He could help a little.”

“What are you two talking about Strider?”

“My name is Verle and we were talking about this heavy bag you just put on me.”

“Oh you want a carrot, do you?”

“Malcolm did I say anything about carrots?”

“No Verle you didn’t. Oh, he’s offering me one too! Yum I love carrots.”

” Malcolm don’t eat that. It’ll only encourage him!”

” There you go Strider. Now for the next bag.”

“Do you see what you’ve done Malcolm? Now I have to carry two bags!”

“Beast of burden, Verle. What do you not get about that?”

“That’s it I’ve had it. I’m breaking free of this life! Out of my way human!”

“Strider stop!” Down boy! Down!”

“Ouch!”

“You should have known better, Verle. They always use the whips when we get uppity.”

“Sergeant what’s the matter with that horse?”

“I’m sorry Captain, something spooked him. There might be enemy in the bush. We’d better send out a patrol. This horse is really smart.”

“Oh Malcolm my human is so stupid!”