Ghastly Migraines (Flash Fiction)

Thank you, Priceless Joy, for hosting Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, and thank you, Louise (with The Storyteller’s Abode), for providing the inspiring photo prompt this week. If you haven’t heard of or joined this challenge, please check out the link and 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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Elizabeth staggered into the mahogany armchair, trying to imagine herself separate from the throbbing pain cracking open her skull.

The clumsily endearing fingers on the piano stopped, filling the parlor with static silence instead. “Another migraine, Nana?” came the small voice of her chin-ducking granddaughter Beth.

Elizabeth winced. Days earlier, behind partially closed doors, Beth had confessed to one of her friends how she believed Elizabeth to be a liar—using migraines as an excuse to avoid these dreadful piano lessons. Truth be told, they were dreadful, like with any beginner, but Elizabeth would never have done such a thing. Hence her presence here, surrounded by head-splitting sounds and insolent sunlight. And what a bittersweet way to suffer. All worth it.

She rose from the chair, nausea rippling through her stomach, and stepped closer to the piano. “No need to worry. Go on, play another song for Nana.”

Beth’s eyes widened as her wilted face reblossoms. Her fingers flew across the keys, and she blushed, sticking her tongue between her teeth, concentrating hard for her nana.

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177 words

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NOTE: If you suffer from—or have ever suffered—migraines, I’m so sorry.