What Pegman Saw – A Wish Granted

“What Pegman saw” is a weekly challenge based on Google Streetview. You can read the rules here. You can find today’s location on this page,  from where you can also get the Inlinkz code. This week’s location is Menorca, Spain

Image by Matt Gribbon from Pixabay

A wish granted

The black horse struts downhill, groomed sleek and with scarlet ribbons plaited through his mane and tail for the festival. Marc, one of the caixers, rides him like a king, tall and stern-faced. His black hair is trimmed short like a warrior, and his eyes are dark and commanding. Every few metres he makes the horse rear and people scurry beneath to touch its heart for good luck.

I watch how Marc controls the horse, and my heart yearns for him.

The horse rises, and I step forward, reaching for the beast’s heart. I touch it! Perhaps my dream will come true!

I sprint down the street to the town square, and greet Marc when he arrives.

“Alejandro!” he says.

“May I squire for you in the jousting tomorrow?”

He frowns.

“I have my brother…” he says, and then smiles. “I’m sure we can find something for you to do!”

 

Friday Fictioneers – Breaking the News

Every week, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (thank you, Rochelle!) hosts a flash fiction challenge, to write a complete story, based on a photoprompt, with a beginning, middle and end, in 100 words or less. Post it on your blog, and include the Photoprompt and Inlinkz on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them.

PHOTO PROMPT © NA’AMA YEHUDA

Breaking the News

As Rick and Tamara stood centre-stage, bowing, Rick’s mom beamed. What a lovely couple they made! They could marry in the church where her father had been Minister! After the show, she chattered all the way home.

“Mom! Can we stop? I’ve got something to tell you.”

She pulled over. “Won’t it wait?”

“Mom, I’m gay.”

“Oh, no, Honey!” She clamped both hands over her mouth.

Rick flushed crimson.

“My boyfriend’s called Dexter. May I introduce him to you on Sunday?”

Rick’s mom fidgeted, then nodded.

“Okay. Invite him to tea, only…” she hesitated, “let’s not tell Gramps yet. Please?”

Inlinkz – click here to join in!

What Pegman Saw – Parting

“What Pegman saw” is a weekly challenge based on Google Streetview. Using the location provided, you must write a piece of flash fiction of no more than 150 words. You can read the rules here. You can find today’s location on this page,  from where you can also get the Inlinkz code. This week’s prompt is Asuncion, Paraguay. It’s related to my story “Happy ever after” published on December 21st.

Image by Bernhard Post from Pixabay

Parting

Asuncion market gleamed with thousands of coloured lights celebrating Christmas.

Carlos looked miserable. He hated seeing Jose upset.

“Look,” said Jose. “I love you. I want a lifelong partnership. I will never go with anyone else; I swear by the Virgin! What more do you want?”

Carlos laid his hand gently on Jose’s.

“I love you too,” he said softly. “But AIDS terrifies people.”

“But there would be no risk, because I’d be faithful!”

“I don’t think they’d see that. Do you remember that doctor last year? When he came out as gay, he lost all his patients.”

“Don’t you trust me, Carlos?”

“I would trust you with my life,” said Carlos, fiercely, and then he sighed. “Perhaps we had better not see each other again.”

Jose stared at him.

Carlos looked at his watch. “I must hurry, Jose. I’m meeting someone.”

Jose said nothing – but followed at a distance.

What Pegman Saw – Happy Ever After

“What Pegman saw” is a weekly challenge based on Google Streetview. Using the location provided, you must write a piece of flash fiction of no more than 150 words. You can read the rules here. You can find today’s location on this page,  from where you can also get the Inlinkz code. This week’s prompt is Asuncion, Paraguay.

Image by Bernhard Post from Pixabay

Happy ever after

“I must hurry, Jose. I’m meeting someone.”

Jose raised his eyebrows, pouted, but said nothing.

Carlos sighed with exasperation. He walked away quickly, scarcely noticing the market stalls with their crudely carved nativity scenes and insipid plaster models of the Virgin. The scent of coconut blossom was strong.

“Oh, you’ve come then? I thought you’d stood me up.” Beatriz scowled at Carlos, her prominent eyebrows drawn together, her eyes narrow with irritation.

“Sorry. I’m sorry. I had to buy something.”

The waiter hovered.

“We’ll have the fixed price menu, and a litre of red wine,” said Beatriz. The waiter nodded.

Carlos fumbled in his pocket and went down on one knee.

“Will you marry me, Beatriz?” he asked. The diamond ring sparkled in the restaurant’s lights.

Beatriz smiled.

“Yes, of course. I thought you’d never ask!”

Jose, across the square, watched in silence. So. Carlos had made his choice.

Friday Fictioneers – Shuttered

Every week, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (thank you, Rochelle!) hosts a flash fiction challenge, to write a complete story, based on a photoprompt, with a beginning, middle and end, in 100 words or less. Post it on your blog, and include the Photoprompt and Inlinkz on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!

Photo Prompt © Roger Bultot

Shuttered

After that first time, Binyamin knew better than to tell his father how he felt about Asher. He shuttered his face and kept his tears for the dark hours of night, alone in his bedroom. Besides, what good would tears do? His father had moved the family across the continent to give them a chance of a better life. How could he argue against that? If only he could speak to Asher occasionally, or even just speak about him to his family…

Day by day his face grew harder.

Day by day his joy diminished.

The shutters rusted solid.

Inklinkz – click here