You need to understand that there are endings, and then there are endings.
So, we reach the final curtain, sure, but can you hear any singing? Nope! Here we go, writing the last one! The real last, last one. May this sweet ending last forever and ever… and ever more.
Well, that’s it, that’s all I’ve got brain for. My thoughts are becoming fuzzy and spell check is having to work very hard as I mis-click the keys on the keyboard. And I keep using the wrong mouse. Maybe got enough energy for one more... cup of tea before bed.
As he slid into the spare bed he heard her snoring. There’d been ranting, but she’d run out of steam, all shouted-out, totally pissed. Before he knew it sunlight burst through the un-shuttered window. Mireille would be along soon. He could get back to work.
But Cathy never came back.
‘Last orders!’
‘Already?’
‘Guess so.’
‘Want one more?’
‘Better not.’
‘Yeah, better not. So, um… best be off.’
‘Okay.’
‘Look after yourself.’
‘You too.’
‘I just wish…’
‘What?’
‘Nothing.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘Me too.’
‘Maybe…’
‘Maybe?’
‘I’ll see you around, right?’
‘’Course.’
‘Want a lift?’
‘I should walk.’
‘Right then.’
‘Yeah.’
I thought about the artifacts I’d dug up on his land. Hours spent wedging trowel into hard ground uncovering broken spearpoints. Nothing left whole.
Read squinting, sleep will come.
Dawn light, distant traffic hums, a solitary bird sings - it’s today. I’m stuck in yesterday.
A kiss. I want him to envelop me, gift his sleep. But he’s
gone.
He was gone with my diagnosis, drowning in fear, each night
my last.
I wish…
The show was on. As the star, Mandira was doing her bit before the fawning audience. I thought of the protein shake I had lovingly insisted she drink just before. Soon, she would forget her words and stumble. Froth from the mouth. Tonight, it would certainly be curtains for Mandira.
Please accept this
notification of my resignation. Track changes are on, Calibri size 11 font, my hyperlinks
are live, my SEO reaches a green smiley face, no typos. I’ll still volunteer weekends
to help the company and write a five page self-review to which you’ll answer
with one sad sentence.
Time to Call it a Night
Welcome to The Write-In! This year, we're celebrating the 2023 National Flash Fiction Day Anthology theme of time. Throughout National Flash Fiction Day, we'll be posting one time-related prompt on the hour every hour from now until midnight (BST), for a total of 25 prompts in all. You have until midnight on Sunday (BST) to submit your responses for possible publication here at the Write-In. We'll start posting responses on Sunday, 25 June 2023....
*
To finish off our 2023 prompts, we invite you to write a story of 50 words or fewer about some sort of ending. Make sure you include a title for your piece.
The title does not count towards the word count. Hyphenated words count as one word. For example, ‘five-o’clock shadow’ would count as two words.
*
If you’re submitting this to us, make sure to note that this is a response to Prompt 24: Time to Call it a Night.
You can submit responses until 23:59 BST on Sunday, 25 June 2023 for a chance to be published here at The Write-In.
You can claim the badge for this prompt until 23:59 BST on Sunday, 2 July 2023 by going to the here (hosted by the NFFD website).
