Inside the Mind of Isadora

Tag Archives: #100wordchallenge


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Friday Fictioneers – The Ashes

WARNING: You may not see my comments on your stories from me. WP still hasn’t resolved my inability to leave comments or I have been punished and sent to the SPAM room. 😀  If you see a ‘Like’ from me it says I’ve enjoyed your story. Have a wonderful weekend 😎

 

The funeral service at Saint Lucy’s was exactly the way Grammy wanted. Father Karvalis spoke benevolently about her life. Poppy sat silently. Tears flowed as Father spoke of her.

A short month later, Poppy joined his beloved. We knew he would. She was his life. 

Cremated, both of their ashes sat on the mantle in handcrafted jars they purchased years earlier. 

The will stated I inherited the house. As a travel writer, I left the States. An estate agency auctioned the contents.

To my surprise, a coroner called soon after the auction. It seems someone purchased their ashes at Goodwill. 

2024©Isadora DeLaVega

Genre: Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100

Photo Prompt:©DaleRogerson

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Friday Fictioneers – Bound by Love

Mother’s gaze was always distant, as if she belonged to another world.  Her eyes shimmered, hinting at unshed tears, but she remained alone in her thoughts, tapping her foot in the solitude of her rocker.

The visiting nurse shared a poignant tale of my Father and Mother. They weren’t just a couple, but a single entity, bound by a love that transcended life itself. He read to her, by the gentle glow of the lamplight, until his final breathe. A secret language on every page read. 

For eternity, she will wait, her heart aching with the anticipation of their reunion.

2024©Isadora DeLaVega

Genre: Romance 

Word Count: 100

Photo Prompt:©SusanRouchard

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Friday Fictioneers – One Rainy Night #2

Welcome to Friday Fictioneers, where a band of writers create original artful stories inspired by a photo prompt. The title of this story has a #2 because several weeks ago I wrote the original here for Friday Fictioneers. Both stories are independant of each other but continue in theme. Enjoy, Isadora

Silence in the car was deafening. 

Exasperated, Rita asked, “What’s your name?”

“Charlie.” 

“Charlie, huh! Gotta a last name?”

Ignoring Rita, he said, “With all this rain, no cars were passing. Thanks for the lift.”

“Where are you going?”

I live right across the Lawson Bridge. “Is that out of your way?”

“I can manage that.” 

It was a dark, starless night after the rain. 

Crossing the bridge, the lights in the distance called to Rita. She felt freedom was on the other side of that bridge.

First she’d drop off Charlie. After all, he could be a serial killer.

2024©Isadora DeLaVega

Genre: Crime

Word Count: 100

Photo Prompt:©SandraCrook 

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Friday Fictioneers – The Flamenco Dance

“Por favor, Renaldo, can we stop all of this practicing? My feet are swollen, and my toes ache.”

“Esmeralda, we must practice if we’re going to win the competition.”

“It’s snowing, and I want to go home while I still can.”

“The Flamenco has to be perfect; no missteps. We must be flawless.” 

“Okay, go,” he snarled. 

“Work on your costume and return early tomorrow. No excuses.” 

Cautiously, Esmeralda walked to her car.

From behind, she heard a scream.

Immediately, she turned and saw Renaldo sitting on the icy concrete.

With a sheepish grin, she shouted, “No practice tomorrow … right?” 

2024©Isadora DeLaVega

***** If you’re not familiar with the Flamenco dance, watch this video .

Genre:Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100

Photo Prompt:©Dale Rogerson

To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers challenge

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Friday Fictioneers – One Rainy Night

Rain obscured the dark Georgia back road. Rita squinted as she drove the unfamiliar stolen truck. She had no choice but to meet this challenge head-on.

A man in a white coat, a hitchhiker, jumped in front of the truck. She slid while braking on the rainy road. Pulling the door handle and hitting the window, he shouted, “I need help. My car broke down”. 

“Are you a doctor from the asylum?” escaped psychotic Rita asked.

“Right, the hospital. The escaped murderous scoundrel lied while chuckling inside.”

Two strangers, one rainy night, might be in for a gripping ride. 

2024©Isadora DeLaVega

Genre:Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100

Photo Prompt:©RogerBultot

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Friday Fictioneers – Alone on the Beach

Roberta sat in her lounge chair on the beach every day. 

The sun warmed her aching bones. 

Mandy, said it was good for her health to sit out in the sun everyday.

Why?  I miss my Henry. 

The beach condo was our retirement home. His presence is everywhere. 

Traveling and gazing at the sunset every night was our plan. Now, it’s just a place. 

Bright glittering spots shone as she lay there.

Henry? I miss you.

She could hear him call to her. 

 Soon, Roberta, we’ll be together.

Mandy called out. It’s time for lunch, Mom. 

Happily, Roberta joined Henry. 

2024©Isadora DeLaVega

Genre:Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100

Photo Prompt:©RochelleWisoff-Fields

To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers challenge

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Friday Fictioneers – Guella’s House

Friday nights were always the same. It was like church every week, except it was Guella’s house.

She was the matriarch to 11 children. After work, everyone gathered at her house for dinner. Ann, her spinster daughter, helped her.

Auntie would send the grandkids to the bedroom to watch television. We sat on the floor. 

“I don’t want to come in here and see anyone on the bed.”

After dinner, we returned to the bedroom for more television and combat among the boy cousins. Being too loud was cause for reprimands. 

But the adults sang, danced, and talked for hours. 

2024©Isadora DeLaVega

Genre:Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100

Photo Prompt:©FleuerLind

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Friday Fictioneers – Olympic Dream

Irina awoke at 5 a.m.

Early morning hours on the ice were best. She could practice her twirls and jumps without distractions.

“You sacrifice so much for us,” Mama said.

“No, skating is my life.” I said. “I want to go to the Olympics.”

Skating was Irina’s dream from the time she could walk. 

“I  will bring home a gold medal. I will make you proud. Our lives will be better.”

In 2024, Irina was on the Olympic roster. 

With stargazed eyes, she skated onto the ice. 

While executing the very difficult triple jump, she fell to her death. 

2024©Isadora DeLaVega

Genre:Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100

Photo Prompt:©DaleRogerson

To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers challenge

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Friday Fictioneers – Reminders of Her

He gulps his glass of whiskey. 

He hates whiskey.

Cupping his hands on his head and face, he weeps.

What will I do now?

I’m nothing without her. She promised to love me forever.

Despair oozes from his boozy sweat.

Her childhood trauma was a fellow bedmate during their relationship.

She hates me because of what happened then. 

Why?

He is a man—a reminder of her brokenness, something too painful to forget. 

Everything is a reminder of her.

Now, he waits, drinks whiskey, and tries not to feel his pain.

It’s a high price to pay for loving her. 

2024©Isadora DeLaVega

Genre:Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100

Photo Prompt:©SusanRouchard

To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers challenge

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Friday Fictioneers – Make Magic Happen

Granny’s greenhouse is in the distance and beyond the red barn.

She grew roses in every color. When you entered her cozy cottage, the sweet scent of roses was always in the air. 

Her final resting place will be the rose garden. 

She’d say, “Where else would I want to be?” 

Roses create beautiful paintings when gathered and placed in a crystal vase—Mother Nature’s floral paintings.

The funeral was the way granny wanted.

I  place the urn on a high shelf in the greenhouse.

I’m sure she’s looking down and saying, “Pick radiant, colorful blooms and make magic happen.”

2024©Isadora DeLaVega

Genre:Flash Fiction

Word Count: 100

Photo Prompt:©Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

To join Rochelle and her Friday Fictioneers challenge

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