The Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction challenge for January 10, 2019, prompt: “In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes the idea of enrichment. Use many of its different manifestations or explore reasons why it matters to the character. Go where the prompt leads.”
I was led by Ilene Higginbottom to pick up her story. This double 99 word installment follows on the heel (get it, heel, not heels) of Sort of Out where we found Ilene and Ernest in the singlewide while Marge and the guys played poker in the garage. This installment also reflects back to Latching On when Ilene determined to become a more independent and self reliant woman. That resolution may have appeared to go off track with the subsequent appearance of Lloyd in her life, but that now appears to be another epic romance that will only aid Ilene in her goals. See the entire collated collection of these characters’ vignettes at their page, HERE.
***
Enrichment
Lowering her book, Ilene answered Ernest. “You just might like some of these stories. But here, try this one first.”
Ernest took the anthology that Ilene handed him. “Congress of Rough Writers? Is it a western?”
“No, it’s not a western. It gives background on flash fiction with excellent examples. These books are for my literary arts course at the community college.”
Ilene and Ernest were still reading when Marge and Lloyd returned from the garage, the poker game over. “If you’re wondering, bookworms, we both won, but didn’t get rich.”
“No? We both got enriched.”
Lloyd beamed. “Epic.”
***
“How’re your classes going, Ilene?”
“Good. I’m getting myself ready for an office job. It’s all about the spreadsheet.”
“So why a literary arts course? What’s this flash fiction stuff got to do with anything?”
Lloyd spoke from his perch at the counter. “Ernest, literary art is cultural literacy. It’s…”
“Epic?”
“Epically enriching.”
“Lloyd’s right. Honestly, the secretarial skills courses would be such a bore without the Literary Arts class. And it’s going to help me get the job I want, help me to sell myself.”
“Ha! I thought you were giving that up.”
“Marge, don’t be a Nard.”
***
‘Nard’ — I love that word. Takes me back to high school. LOL
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It’s not as bad as that. Nard is another character, a friend of theirs. Thanks for coming by!
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LOL
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Hahaha. I love these interactions, not to mention the way you promoted the book, the Ranch and literary arts all in one. You are a clever writer. If anyone couldn’t see the value in flash fiction and literary arts before, they sure can now. Great way to spread the word, D.
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Well, here’s a contributor to the anthology now, Norah Colvin, member of the Congress of Rough Writers!
I am glad you liked what I did and relieved you don’t see it for what it really is, an act of desperation, using any and all to simply get a response out. See, I had nothing this week, so I remembered that Ilene needed to take some courses to get herself back in the workforce.
G’day, Norah.
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I came over here to bask in the richness of Ilene’s literary art immersion this week. I agree with Norah about your cleverness, but now that we’ve discussed migrations, I now understand how the West was witty.
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Thanks for coming by, Boss. Yep, Ernest and Ilene have taken to reading flash fiction instead of watching Duck Dynasty reruns while Marge and the guys play poker in the garage. Ilene is working on a vision statement in 99 and 59 words and a 9 word pitch. She has some interviews coming up. No more Mill work for her, no offense.
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Good things coming their way!
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