The February 13, 2023 story challenge from Charli Mills at Carrot Ranch is to: In 99 words, no more no less, write a story about a smear of jam. Is it across a slice of toast, a white shirt, or something unexpected? The jam could be the focus or detail that ads a twist. Who are the characters with the jam and where are they situated in space and time? Go where the prompt leads!
Do go on over and read Charli’s post. You have through Saturday to submit your story at Carrot Ranch.
Mornings After by D. Avery
“Tell me your dreams.”
‘Night dreams or daydreams?’ she used to respond. Their daydreams were their shared aspirations: to be successful in their careers; buy a home; have children; grow old together.
“We should get going.” She no longer liked their morning ritual.
“One thing,” he persisted.
“Okay. I dreamed of bread. With jam.”
“Mmm.”
She wouldn’t tell him that in her dream the slice of bread was small and that she had hidden it from him and eaten it all herself.
Rising cautiously from the sheltering rubble they walked on through the ruins, their lives a waking nightmare.
Be sure to go to Carrot Ranch to read the complete “Dishes” collection from last week. And there’s always the Ranch Yarns with Kid and Pal’s responses HERE.
ShiftnShake 
It is a sad reality that happens to many a couple. What was fun becomes mundane and it goes downhill from there.
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A sad reality woven with words so beautifully. 🤍
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A cautionary tale. (K)
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Very touching story
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Wow, that was a double twist, wasn’t it? The first said what, the second said why (extenuating circumstances). And timely, given the Syrian and the Ukraine collapses.
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Wow… I got goosebumps at the end. What a powerful ending. All I could think of was the Ukranian people, living in their freezing cold basements, trying to survive Putin’s war. Wow!
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