Flash Fiction Friday

This week's flash fiction is a little bit different. In the U.S. yesterday everyone was celebrating a holiday where we give thanks for the people closest to us and where we are in our lives. I was taken by surprised by my own bit of "flash fiction" when the following event happened yesterday. How do you think this story ended?

Where's My Ma'am?

by Donna L Martin

 

 

 

The woman stamped her feet against the cold and tugged the car door again. It was most decidedly frozen and the ironic thing about it all was the bottle of de-icer staring back at her from the front seat. As she headed back inside for a bucket of warm water she thought to herself, "It's not going to matter if I'm late. No one is holding their breath just waiting for me to show up."

 

On the other side of town the man put the last ornaments on the Christmas tree. Delicious aromas taunted him from the kitchen as his wife prepared the holiday meal. Suddenly a small voice caught his attention.

 

"Daddy, I hope my ma'am is gonna be here soon."

 

"It's okay Hailey. She's on her way and will be here in a little bit."

 

"But I miss her, Daddy!"

 

After much tugging and a little bit of prayer, the ice finally loosened its grip on the car door enough for the woman to climb in and start up the engine. She was going to be late but didn't think it would matter much. A sharp beeping sound announced an incoming text and tears sprung to her eyes as she read the words someone special was waiting anxiously for her arrival. For a moment self-pity had allowed her to think being late didn't matter but here was proof it did, if only for one small child. Twenty minutes later as the woman pulled into the driveway, she could see a nose pressed against the window pane impatiently searching for a familiar car. Oh, what a wonderful holiday this was going to be.

 

Stepping into the hallway, the woman could hear a high pitched squeal as she closed the door.

 

"Ma'am, ma'am, you're here!"

 

 

***Okay, you're turn. What do you think happened next?***

Aren't We All Lucky Ducks?

It has been over 20 years since I was responsible for my own son's potty training.  Not that it was an award winning event, still, in the Martin household it was cause for great celebration.  No more diapers and no more pull ups. My son had crossed the threshold from toddler to young boy and all he needed at the time was my unconditional support to complete the transition.

Fast forward 20 plus years and I have the honor of watching my best friend's daughter cross that same threshold my son did all those years ago. I sometimes tend to underestimate my calming, supportive influence on people at times and Hailey's first venture into doing what big girls do was no exception.  While others in her family wondered if she would understand what was expected of her, I simply showed my unconditional support when the time came and the rest as they say, was history. We celebrated like there was no tomorrow and I presumed my small part in the whole process would soon be forgotten.

I was wrong.

Saturday evening came along and I was sitting in my magical recliner, doing research on my nonfiction manuscript, when I got a phone call from Hailey's grandmother.  She visits them most weekends so Mom and Dad can have some grownup time so I was curious as to why in the world my best friend's mom would be calling me?  I didn't have long to wonder.  Answering the phone, I was surprised to hear a tiny voice on the other end..."Ma'am, I have to go potty!" Okay, Hailey, I had no idea you needed my permission to answer the call of Mother Nature, but go right ahead...we'll celebrate later!

What does all this have to do with the writing life, you might ask? Everything actually.

We writers are lucky enough to find unconditional support in this writing community as we cheer on those baby steps into this new world we so badly want to be a part of.  We need to  encourage and celebrate each person's step across the threshold from novice to professional writer even if it means answering late night phone calls asking for reassurance that everything will turn out okay. Because it will.  Maybe not today or next week, but in the not too distant future our dreams WILL become our reality...all it takes is the belief we can do this.

I believe in Hailey and I believe in YOU!