A Rare Show

July 30, 2025Na'ama Yehuda Anecdotes of Life, Life and love, Muse and Flow, Reflections, Things Kids Say, Writing Tags: 100WordChallenge, connection, Disappointment, Excitement, Expectations, Flash Fiction, Friday Fictioneers, Micro Fiction, Neurodivergent 26 Comments

“So?”

Ivor fished a tissue out of a pocket, buying time. Though not really a fan, Elena’s excitement had rubbed onto him, and he found himself trying to hide his disappointment. He didn’t think he could face hers.

“Isn’t it amazing?” Elena pulled on his arm, pitch high in delight.

“It sure is something,” he managed, relieved.

“Just like the Iron Throne, but made of crystals,” she rocked on her heels, and wriggled her fingers into his. A rare show of affection reserved for joy edging near to overwhelm.

He smiled and squeezed her hand. “I’m so glad we’ve come.”

For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers

Photo credit: © Marie Gail Stratford

Melted Bob

July 23, 2025Na'ama Yehuda Life and love, Muse and Flow, Reflections, Things Kids Say Tags: 100WordChallenge, Ancient, Energy, Ents, Fantasy, Flash Fiction, Friday Fictioneers, Micro Fiction, Things Kids Say 43 Comments

“What’s wrong with its eye?” Ellie scowled.

Malcolm squinted. “It melted, I think.”

Ellie considered. There were many stumps with faces, and most were odd-shaped. But he wanted to touch this one, which was unusual enough for someone who did not like touching anything, and he also felt the stump’s warning – if there can be such a thing – to touch it “gently.” Like it’d hurt.

“How old is it?”

“6,000 or so,” Malcolm shrugged.

“So why your Paps still keeping it?” Most oldies have been smelted. Ent energy was the best.

“He tried,” Malcolm pointed out. “Now he calls it Bob.”

For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers

Photo credit: Dale Rogerson

Aloft

July 9, 2025Na'ama Yehuda Anecdotes of Life, Life and love, Muse and Flow, Writing Tags: 100WordChallenge, Flash Fiction, Friday Fictioneers, Hard times, hope, Micro-fiction, New Beginnings, saying goodbye 43 Comments

“When, Mammie?” Sally fidgeted on Bella’s lap. Bony butt on bony thighs on a hard bench. It hurt, but Bella ignored the discomfort.

“Any second now,” she responded. The crowd’s hum amplified the thumping in her chest. Heart to ribs. Heart in throat.

A rumbling started. Imperceptible at first, then a rattling that shook the ground, and a moment later, sound.

Two beams shot up. Lit the night sky.

“Goodbye, Eric,” Bella mouthed, tears overflowing. She held Sally so tightly that the child protested. “Find hope, my love. Find life. Then come back for the rest of us.”

For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers

The Third Drop-Off

July 2, 2025Na'ama Yehuda Anecdotes of Life, Life and love, Muse and Flow, Things Kids Say, Trauma and Development, Writing Tags: 100WordChallenge, Childhood Adversity, Childhood trauma, Finding a home, Flash Fiction, Foster Care, Friday Fictioneers, Micro Fiction, Social worker 57 Comments

“Is that it?”

The girl’s face remained pressed to the window.

“Yes,” the woman nodded. This was the third drop-off today and it better be less dramatic than the previous two. It was late, and she still had reports to write.

She thumbed the folder to remind her of the names, exited the car and walked around to open the child’s door. It could not open from within. For safety. Some kids escape.

“Come,” she said.

The child blinked, swallowed hard. “It looks nice,” she managed.

The woman’s eyes softened. “Yes. It does. I hope this foster placement works out.”

For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers