Flash Fiction

[jfrey]

Anyone else do these? If you don't know what it is, flash fiction is a type of writing that imposes limits on length (usually by word count). The limit I usually go by is no more than 500 words.

If you do any flash fiction post it here. Or write some now and post it here.

[jfrey]

One I wrote a while back. Let me know what you think.

Word count: 473

After five minutes of hoping for more sleep, David swept aside the covers and committed himself to the day. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and set his feet to the floor, exhaling a bit at the sudden chill. His wife had already left for work, her side of the bed neatened and the sheets tucked in. He bet that if he looked in the children’s rooms the beds would all be made, everything picked up and orderly. An hour after school and toys would litter the floor, but everything would be pristine again by the next morning. Anna was obsessively tidy.

The clock read eight-forty-eight: the latest he had gotten up in months. He had decided to take a few days off to recuperate. He flexed his arm and felt his skin chafe against the inside of the cast. A broken arm and a few scrapes and cuts here and there wasn’t such a bad way to come out of a car accident.

On the bedside table sat a glass of water and a napkin with a few white pills. There was a small note scribbled on the napkin – Please remember to take. He smiled, imagining his wife’s frustration with his absentmindedness. He swallowed them down with a gulp of water and set about getting dressed.

He was a little stiff from lying in bed so he decided to go for a walk before he showered and had breakfast. Stepping outside he was almost immediately greeted by his neighbor. The man worked odd hours and appeared to be on his way just then to the hospital where he practiced. He wore a long white coat over a shirt and tie. A small brass pin bore his name in squat script: Dr. Lauren – Lauren being his last name, and not as many initially thought perhaps a joke of cruel parents.

“David, it’s good to see you up and about,” he said with a warm smile, and held out his hand to shake.

“Yeah, a little stiff, but I can’t complain. Car’s totaled, but all considering that isn’t really important.” He could see that Lauren was still concerned. He smiled, attempting to ease the man’s anxiety.

“I had wanted to ask you – if you don’t mind – what you remembered about the accident.”

“Well, not much really. The guy ran a red light, plowed into the corner of my car. We rolled – once I think. Kind of fuzzy. Paramedics came. Police.” He waved his hand dismissively. “Well, I have to get going. You too by the looks of it – heading to work?”

Lauren didn’t answer right away. He looked uncomfortable. He smiled wanly and shook David’s hand again. “Well, we’ll talk later I’m sure.”

“Of course. Take care.” David stepped around him and walked off, waving to people along the way.