Page 32 - San Diego Woman Amy Haber Issue

F ANT ASTIC FLASH FIC TION

Welcome to our new section Fantastic Flash Fiction. The definition of Flash Fiction is a type of fiction characterized
by being very short, typically consisting of only a few hundred words.
Some of our most well known authors have dabbled in Flash Fiction, so we thought it was time for San Diego Woman
to join the party. Take a few moments to enjoy the entries below and try your hand at it. We look forward to future
submissions from some of our favorite people...our readers.

THE RIGHT DIRECTION: RAINY DAY FRIENDS:

by Shelley Burbank by Shelley Burbank

The butterflies in Hollie’s stomach fluttered as she Sasha and Bronte stood in the park looking at the
stepped into the low brick building of the local com- puddle where three shrieking five and six year
munity college. She’d already walked half a mile in her olds stomped and splashed, excited by the first
new, turquoise pumps from the commuter parking lot rainstorm after many long, dry months in South-
on the edge of the campus, and a few drops of sweat ern California.
beaded her forehead despite the light autumn breeze. “Maybe we shouldn’t let them do that,” Sasha mur-
Heart pounding, Hollie double-checked the sched- mured. “They’ll get your car all wet and muddy.”
ule on her phone for the room number and headed Bronte shook her head and laughed as the rain
down the hall. What was she thinking, going back to dripped off their umbrellas. “Don’t you worry about
school after eighteen years of diapers, playdates, school that. The upholstery can take it. Let them play.”
drop-off lines, field hockey games, and homework su-
pervision? She’d never fit in with the traditional college Sasha nodded. “It’s just so hard for my girls with-
students. She wasn’t simply “seasoned,” she thought, out Josh. I don’t know what I would have done
frowning and feeling that butterfly swirl of anxiety pick- without you these past few months. When he left,
ing up momentum. She was a throwback, vintage goods, it felt like my whole world was caving in. But you.
practically a dinosaur! You’ve been there, telling me I could move onward
and upward. Introducing me to the gallery. Show-
Leaning against the wall outside the classroom while ing your boss my portfolio. Pushing them to hire
other students rushed in to take their seats, Hollie closed me. Even picking the girls up at daycare when I
her eyes and took a deep breath. She’d dreamed of fin- have to work late! I don’t know how I can ever,
ishing her business degree ever since she dropped out ever repay you.”
when the pregnancy test came back positive all those
years ago. She’d never resented her daughter, Faye, but “Hey, stop it.” Bronte nudged Sasha’s shoulder
there’d always been this question, this “what if” in the with her own. “It’s all you, babe. Your portfolio.
back of her mind. What would she have accomplished? Your work. Your enthusiasm and charm. I al-
Where would she have gone? How far would her tal- ways knew you had it in you.”
ent have taken her? Now, she would finally get the “Thank you.”
chance to find out--as long as she had the courage
to open the door and step inside. Bronte continued to speak, her voice thought-
ful and warm. “We’re rainy day friends, Sash.
Grasping the handle of her trusty hand-em- And sunshiny friends, too. Next time I’ll be
broidered tote bag, Hollie made her the one who needs support, and you’ll be
decision. She turned toward the there for me. In life there’s always gonna be
classroom door, squared her some sun and always gonna be some rain,
shoulders, and stepped into but with good friends to buoy you up, you
her future--boldly and in never have to worry about drowning.”
bright, blue shoes.
The two women watched as the three
girls twirled and stomped in their
bright rubber boots, sending droplets
of water back into the air to meet the
falling rain.

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