The February 7, 2022, Carrot Ranch Literary Community prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that includes anxiety. Who has anxiety or what is the source? Is there conflict? How can you use anxiety to further a story? Go where the prompt leads! Respond at Carrot Ranch by February 12; published next Wednesday at Carrot Ranch.
I am in with two unrelated flashes. I also have responded with Ranch Yarns.
Re-entry by D. Avery
“Breathe,” she reminded herself going through the gate.
The woman watched her approach, accusing eyes penetrating her, scanning her bag, evaluating.
Just one bag?
Breathe. Just answer the questions. Stay calm.
What’s the nature of your visit? How long do you intend to stay?
She’d already made these declarations. Why another grilling?
She stammered out her responses, lightheaded with anxiety. Why was it always this way? Why couldn’t she handle herself better by now?
A man appeared beside the woman with the accusing eyes.
“Everything okay here?”
They both looked at him. Her anxiety subsided.
“Yeah Dad. Everything’s okay.”
Faith by D. Avery
Grinning, he stamped snow off his boots.
“You’re something else,” he exclaimed.
She looked at him, uncomprehending.
“You made snow angels!”
She smiled weakly, petting the dog. Here’s an angel, she thought.
She wouldn’t tell him that with fogged glasses she’d lost her bearings in the pitch black; that she’d fallen in the deep snow then flailed wildly, panicked, trapped in a whirling vortex of anxiety; that even after regaining her footing, she’d still felt completely lost until barking directed her to the house, stumbling and sobbing with relief.
She would let him believe she’d intentionally made snow angels.
ShiftnShake 
Both your stories are so well written D! You’ve the gift to tell us things without saying them.
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Thank you. What I love about the 99 words, it forces you to select words carefully and focus and trust the reader with what doesn’t get said.
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You’re welcome! You’ve honed this skill. I’m just learning
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You’re very kind. We all just keep writing. And reading. And learning!
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Indeed, that the way to go. Thanks
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I was surprised to see this here, but maybe my intro is confusing. If you want to participate in the challenge go to Carrot Ranch Feb 7 Challenge. There is a form in the post and the stories get published on Wednesdays.
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My apologies! I am suffering from some confusion and inability to focus of late. Please feel free to delete if you wish. Again, my apologies for posting incorrectly. Not sure why it double posted? Thank you. Ami (Gypsie)
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I only want to direct you to the Ranch so that you can participate fully and get properly published in the collection. I am glad to help. I think confusion is going around lately, so no worries. And navigating sites and such can be confusing until you get used to it. But if you find the form at the end of the Carrot Ranch post and fill it out you’ll be all set.
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I’m in my sixth week of COVID-19 with pneumonia (and alone) so I probably shouldn’t try to post. Yet, I think writing is the only thing keeping me sane! Thank you for the advice and again my apologies! 😊
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I like the second story especially. Angels come in many forms. (K)
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Yeah… she got a reminder.
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Two great stories, I particularly enjoyed the second with its unintended snow angels!
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Thanks!
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Still at the top of your game, D. ‘Re-entry’ brought a tear to my eye, which is saying something for this crusty old curmudgeon.
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Thank you Doug. I thought this was a tough prompt, but thought of where people might feel anxious; flying, no just getting through the checkin, or…
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Two different kinds of anxiety, D. Both, thankfully, calmed in different ways. I laughed a bit at the unintentional snow angels – not at the time, only in retrospect.
It’s good when Dads turn up just in the nick of time.
Well done.
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Thank you Norah. It was an anxiety inducing prompt!
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That dog must be Lassie! I like what you did there with the snow angels made in haste. Makes me grin to imagine this tale! You really area bright light.
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Both stories grabbed me, D. That first one, I dealt with a few times with my step-mother… UGH. But, the second story touched my heart. I loved it. ❤
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Thank you Colleen. Sorry if I triggered you with the first. Glad the second one dropped down for me. You never know about angels, do you?
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No, and I’ve come to grip with my step-mother. It’s just funny how you still remember how “they” made you feel. Those angels… they are everywhere. ❤
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Yep.
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Great submissions, D! Everyone, at some point, has felt the anxiety of #1. Doesn’t necessarily have to be checking-in, rather it could also be being “grilled” by someone with authority, by speaking publicly, or being interviewed.
Thanks for making us laugh with #2.
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Thanks! Glad you liked these.
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I never understood why my father was anxious about re-entry/going through customs. I think it’s just the human fear of the unknown.
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Loved them both but the first is the winner for me.
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Thank you for coming by for the two-fer. Um… fear of flying?
Or mothers?
(Plug for Sugar and Snails! [Buy it, read it, you will like it])
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