A Fistful of Fifties
Five fifty-word stories
No Rest
The engine sputtered, choked, and died.
Grant Loomis didn’t need to get out of the tractor to know its end had come.
He looked out across the half-harvested field—watched the sun’s descent.
“Had a good run, didn’t we?” the old man said. He was tired. Worn.
Down he climbed.
Lost Era
A crystal gateway and glass obelisks rose higher than the treetops. Various aircraft—some shaped like horseshoes—dotted the blue canvas above.
Captain Leona guided me from the time machine. The others followed us out.
“Thought we were traveling to the past?” Bellamy asked.
Our captain smiled. “And we’ve arrived.”
Skyward
The invisible sphere settles around the old man, cradling him in warmth.
He’s unconscious, his breaths a thick death rattle. Somehow, he witnesses his entire life; it’s played before him like a splotchy motion-picture reel.
He’s ready: his chest stills.
The sphere lifts skyward, guiding his soul through limitless space.
Looking Back
“Never made it to Vienna, did we, dear?”
“No. I don’t think we did.”
“Rome, either.”
“Or Paris.”
The kettle whistles. The old man ambles to it and pours the water into two chipped mugs.
She eases the tea bags in. “And I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”
Finding His Beat
The bell rang.
“Danny, stay after,” Mr. Maddox said as the room cleared.
The kid couldn’t help his tapping: pencil, thighs, ruler—calculator cover.
“Instead of coming to math tomorrow, I want you to see Ms. Sweeney.”
“The band teacher?”
Mr. Maddox grinned. “You’re a drummer…you just don’t know it.”
Hello there, and a very warm welcome to all new subscribers. Thank you for dropping in today to read some of my microfiction. All these stories were written in response to various Fifties by the Fire prompts. To read more fifty-word stories by other contributing writers, please click on the story titles.
I’d love to hear from you. Which “fifty” resonated with you the most? Please feel free to leave a comment, mash that tiny heart icon, or share this post with a fellow reader.
If you’re looking for a lengthier story, here are two of my latest works of flash fiction, The Art Wall and Neighbors.
Thank you again for being here—have a wonderful week. Oh, and before you go, our next Fifties by the Fire prompt is below. Happy writing!
Let’s meet up on Friday, April 19th at 3:00 PM EST for a fifty-word story-sharing extravaganza!
Special thanks, as always, to
for inspiring us with his photographs.Prompt: Write a fifty-word story (fiction, CNF, or poetry) about proffered wisdom.
By the way, if you’re new to fifty-word stories or would like to read more of mine, I published my first book in December, titled 50 Fifties: A Justin Deming Literary Project. Check it out!
Aw. You plugged your book! YAY! All your fifties rule, Justin. 💜
For the next 50-word story, Justin, do you ask that we share some advice proffered to us, or for us to proffer advice? Dos it matter?