If It’s Broken… (Flash Fiction)

Big thanks to the lovely Priceless Joy for hosting Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers (75 – 175 words) and Scott from the blog Scott’s Place for providing the inspiring photo prompt this week. If you haven’t heard of or joined this challenge, please do yourself a favor and check out PJ’s blog for more details and entertaining entries. You won’t regret it.

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Now to the story:

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Something is coming. The sun hangs low over the horizon. Gust after gust, and a disarray of leaves. Thinning trees lashing out in the falling temperature. Horses and trespassing toddlers spooked by their shadows. The whole ranch coming to a standstill.

With an aching shoulder, Eugene had awakened in the hard rocking chair in which he’d been napping since breakfast. Turning off the drone of the local news, he had screwed on his hat and strode out to mend the land. Nine laboured hours bred fixed fences, groomed pastures, and triumphant foaling.

Eugene takes off his hat and scratches his sweaty brow, listening for Gertrude. She said she was going to pick up the mail early from the paperboy down the road. That was hours ago.

Leafy twigs soar through the air and slap the window panes around the house. Neighboring parents come fetch their wandering toddlers and don’t bother to apologize anymore.

It’s Sunday — mail doesn’t come on Sundays. Scowling, Eugene grabs his rifle and races off, searching for his wife.

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(172 words — finally!)