First I must explain my flash fiction pieces are a quick glimpse into the life of a person/persons. It is what I see in my mind happening at a specific time or place. Also these pieces are timed by my husband to complete.
It was not easy coming up with something to write for today’s word/words: FALL FESTIVAL. After I received the word, it took me few moments to think what course to take. I decided to do a Madison continuation of doing yet another news reporting job. This time I put her at a fall fest where she encounters two women. Actually it was a social media photo that triggered this. My friend, Ellen, is a queen of February; her birthday falls in the same month as mine. Secondly she likes funky socks but it was her photo of leggings she owns that inspired this story. The photo she posted had the orange leggings with spider design; next to it was an orange colored coffee mug with spiders. She write about having cup to match her leggings. I decided to use her as one of the women at the festival. Her being there in line for apple cider with her friend Joyce (who I also know). I wrote her decked out for the Halloween season including jewelry. As we are still in social distancing mode, I had her wearing an awesome mask with a spider design. Unfortunately I am not sure if Claire (who made my mask with butterfly design) could have done the spider but sure if she had time she’d figure it out. This flash fiction was timed for a completion of twenty minutes. As it was I sort of therm this piece as being sour grapes; you’ll understand when you read it. No the real Joyce is nothing like I the character in the story.
This was suppose to be a story for Claire (it’s her birthday today) but the more I thought of it the story inspired by Ellen. I realize today is National Grouch Day; funny that can be why I have the character Joyce as I do. But remember the REAL Joyce is a sweetheart.
Until tomorrow....have a great day and as always Stay Safe.
🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃
FALL FESTIVAL
© Scottie-ann Murphy
(For Ellen Belles A February Queen)
Madison’s latest assignment for the newspaper was to write a story on the fall festival in her town. She took notice that many of the attendees were wearing masks as well as doing their best to social distance.
She was glad that Austin decided to attend also. He became her pack mule or a term she took from her grandmother, her ‘bag man’. He carried the bags containing her purchases. So far Madison purchased two sets of crochet coasters; one set shaped like a pumpkin in orange and the second set square shaped in dark brown and yellow. She found the cutest canvass bags; a black bag with an embroidered ghost and the other orange with a black cat. These would make great trick-or-treat bags for her niece and nephew. The other purchase she made was a black cloth hat with the words WICKED WITCH embroidered on the brim with a sunflower in the middle separating the words. She placed it immediately on her head then decided to purchase one for her friend Sarah. As she made her way through the festival she said hello to people she knew. It was the perfect weather for the event. A bright sunny day with temperatures in the high sixty degrees.
They stopped at a booth selling cider.
Madison could not help staring at a woman waiting in the apple cider line. The woman wore orange leggings with a spider design and a black and orange fleece tunic; she had a black beret on her head with a skull broach but what intrigued Madison was the white mask with the black rhinestone spider. She found this to be different and curious on where the woman had purchased it. The woman and her friend chatted about the different booths they planned to stop and shop. She noticed a name badge on the woman, ELLEN, in big bold letters. Evidently she was one of the volunteers at the event. Madison decided to ask if she could take her photo and ask her a few questions about her involvement at the festival. She also took notice of the necklace around Ellen’s neck. The black onyx, orange crystals, silver beads and skulls necklace on the silver chain. The one eye of the skulls were a red heart with a rhinestone. She had never seen quite an unique piece of jewelry before. This woman seemed to be quite in the Halloween spirit.
The fall festival was always a fun story. Madison enjoyed arriving around ten o’clock then observing each booth snapping photographs as well as make purchases. She and the editor would decide which would make the paper and which they’d post on the paper’s website. She knew that this woman Ellen would make the cut for both print and online. The outfit shouted ‘HALLOWEEN’.
Ellen and her friend, Joyce, finally got their cider. Madison made her approach to the two women. Joyce did not want to be photographed stating her hair was just a mess. Ellen gladly posed for pictures but said she would not unmask. That was no problem for Madison who had hoped Ellen would have not have removed it.
Finally she could asked the answer to her regarding the mask and necklace.
Joyce humphed as Ellen explained about both items. Madison had a feeling Joyce was a bit miffed about something.
“Well it’s like this”, Ellen explained, “a friend in Florida who use to live in the area sent both items to me. She knew how much I enjoyed Halloween. She has a friend named Claire that makes jewelry which usually are one of a kind pieces. Claire now is creating masks as well. My friend, Scottie, and I are February Queens; as we both celebrate our birthday in the same month. Like me she loves fall and Halloween. These items are either a belated 2020 birthday present or an early 2021 however you want to look at it”.
Madison nodded at the answer
and said to Ellen “oh such a nice friend she seems to be.”
Joyce let out a loud humphed.
“Well you know”, Joyce grunted, “she’s my friend too but did she send me anything; NO! In fact that hat you’re wearing describes her perfectly.”
With that remark all Madison could do was thank them for their time and continue on her way. Another interesting day doing her job.
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