Write a story in exactly 6 sentences based on Denise’s prompt: CHALLENGE. Visit, comment, and write & post your own on Six Sentence Stories
There was a stack and a gathering of doodads and curlicues, large boxes and small, unassembled whatnots, tubes of crackling rolled brightness, piles of ribbon that had been carefully constructed in some far away, foreign factory, as well as the tight rolls of plastic-ey sticky stuff designed to hold the holiday-everything together.
The fridge was crammed with cartons of Tom and Jerry and Nog, various meats and cheeses and veggies, and a bit of the bubbly stuff, both intoxicating and not, while pies, cookies, and chocolates of various texture with fillings deliciously unidentifiable as something grown in the natural world, splayed and lounged about on a side table that sagged and groaned under their weight.
Nanno and Raefie, side by side on the couch, sat with the test results, then laughed at the set of confirming double lines on both devices; reddened eyes, running noses, dry pertussis, body aches, and slamming headaches had clued them in to the possibility that the sing-along at the local brewery had given them a bit more than holiday cheer.
They’d caught Covid.
At least their symptoms had eased, but clearly they would be alone for the holiday and the last minute flurry of getting all the gifts prepped for the family lifted like smoke after the chimney’s been properly warmed, even if much of the food would not last for a reschedule of the gathering.
Grinning, each grabbed a long hollow tube from its rolled sheath of Santa, polar bear, shiny monkey faces and snowflakes, and stood ready, in sword-fighting stance.
© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2023)
Love the ‘multiple item’ technique in stories. Yours stands out (and make the fun happen) because your choices of words (items) carry their own rhythm, sitting quietly on the page waiting for the silent (and sometimes, not so silent) enunciation of the first to wake you the rest.
kinda like the Rockettes only with letters insteada legs
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😂 I love your analogy, and now I’ve got a Sesame Street thing going on, but with letters AND kicking legs! Wonderful!!
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They will enjoy their day, despite Covid
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The only way out is thru, so make the best of the journey.👍
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Exactly 👍🏼
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Oh dear, let’s hope it doesn’t come back again!
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It’s back in our neck of the woods (midwest u.s.), but 3-4 days to show, & milder symptoms, but still unpleasant. Get vaxxed & protected from the worst!
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It will be a holiday to remember, and will give them plenty of time to get the gifts ready. Meanwhile, a Christmas wrap tube “sword” fight is a fun way to pass the time.
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Opportunity in misfortune, that’s a gift, too! Thanks, Mimi!
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“Misery loves company”, as the saying goes. At least there’s a feast for Nanno and Raefie and seems to me they’re making the best of a most disappointing turn of events.
An entertaining Dr. Seuss-like Six, Liz!
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Dr. Seuss…high praise, indeed. Thank you Denise!
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With “cartons of Tom and Jerry and Nog” they should what they need to pass the time. May they get well soon. Nice tale of a frustrated holiday celebration.
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They’ll make the best of the situation, for sure.
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