Photo. Thomas Zimmerman.
“Kansas ? Really ?”
He was five years from retirement.
“It’s the last move, Ellen, we really have no choice.”
Mark was right. There were bills to pay, he loved his work, Florida could wait.
Stress, depression, illness did not wait. The pain returned, worse than ever. Another round of chemo, life-threatening surgery; she wouldn’t discuss it.
Not with anyone.
He called home to warn her, it looked bad. She had already heard the sirens.
Just another storm in Kansas.
She secured the dogs in the cellar, and moved out into it.
One last move.
https://jfb57.wordpress.com/2015/06/22/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week156-2/
vanbytheriver 
Fiction? Or Non?
Fiction…mostly. ☺
Lots of possibilities
That works for me, George. The inspiration was in that photo. Always fascinated with tornadoes. Oz-obsessed. ☺
I understand the obsession. I’ve always wanted to see one but not to the point where it causes destruction.
I’ve witnessed 3, so far, but none as defined as the kind they see in Kansas. The sky, each time, took on an eerie darkness. The power of nature.
Oz-obsessed? Me too! I have recurring tornado dreams where I get to call the alarm and save the day…
The short short story is full of power, the protagonist resolute, responsible, steely. Almost makes you wonder who will win the confrontation. Very well done, thank you!
Maggie saves the day…love that. Thanks..steely is a great description. ☺
me2…I saw one cross a river and dissipate…I was a kid…but that was cool
We just had one here, 20 miles north of me, that took out an elementary school. It is interesting that it is in a fairly hilly/mountainous area. I guess no one is really safe. ☺
nearly every state has had at least one
wow…I didn’t realize that. Thanks.
Given how spare and concise this piece is, it really packs an emotional wallop. Excellent writing.
Thanks so much, Laura…that’s what I was aiming for..the wallop ! ☺
Love the analogy. Really well-done, Van. I agree with Laura on how much you created with so few words. xoxo
We have moved a lot, never to Kansas, but there were many tornadoes in Michigan. The photo motivated me. Thanks, Kelly.☺
Moving is one of the most stressful things a person can do, in my opinion. Don’t know if I could live in “Tornado Alley,” though. We get our share in Ohio as well, but nothing like what happens there! Loved this piece 🙂
We have lived near earthquakes, drought, flood zones, tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards. It’s been an adventure, Kelly, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. ☺
That’s nice that you feel that way. I can easily move around as well, but it’s the act of moving that I hate. I agree, that life should be an adventure!
I love this, Van. So much power in so few words. Flash fiction at its very best 🙂 I’ve seen the photo on a few blogs beacuse of the challenge and it always reminds me of Dorothy and her trip to Oz.
Same here on the Oz memory, Hugh, thanks so much. I have special memories of the pre-video days, when it was featured at the movie theater during Christmas season..born in December, I considered it a birthday gift !
You can almost guarantee that the movie will feature on the TV sometime over Christmas, here in the UK. I’ve also seen the musical “Wicked” five times (the first being on Broadway). I was hooked straight away.
I wanted to like Wicked, Hugh…Idina Menzel’s shrill voice is like nails on a blackboard to me. (She also sang “Let It Go” from Frozen.) Yikes. I had to keep my radio off for a while there. She is talented, it just doesn’t sit will in my ear for some reason.
Oooh. Intense one, Van. Interesting that you capture a sense of power versus resignation. In a way she’s as mighty as the storm. Well done.
Great observation, Diana, I was hoping that would come through..Thanks. ❤️
Love it Van. 🙂
Thank you for the read and comment. Ghost P. ☺
Call me Sam. 🙂 No problem
Okay, then. Sam. I have a niece named Samantha…with a last name with 12 letters. Kindergarten, learning to write her name…was a challenge. I scolded my sister. ☺
Aww…. that’s so sweet. 🙂 My full name is Samantha Josephine Hunter so I just let ppl call me Sam or Sammi
Yep…she only heard her full name when she was in trouble. ☺
Aww….yes, you packed a lot in there, V. Matter-of-factness, sorrow. Wonderful use of irony at the end there, though sad.
Sad, yes. But she chose her own path through the storms. Thanks, Diana. ❤️
Powerful.
Thanks, Amy. ❤️
Wow…Van! That last image was powerful! Moved out into it, and not down with the dogs! Courage to face the raging “storms.” Well done! Christine
Hey Christine. Thanks for recognizing the courage. ❤️ Still watching for your NYC post. ☺
Courage is what keeps us going! Thanks for remembering! about the NYC post. Working my way through two more awards posts first. Christine
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Van, this was excellent! I have goose-bumps. I lived in Kansas with my Grandparents for the summers when I was a child. Yes, we had a storm cellar. I made a few trips there believe me.
I would have been so afraid to go there in the summer, Colleen. Storms usually come with a warning; tornadoes..not so much. Yikes. ❤️ Thanks for the encouraging comment. I don’t usually do fiction. ☺
I think your writing was fabulous! You should do that more often. 😉
Thanks, Colleen. ❤️
Awesome. Powerful. Chills up my arm.
Thanks Kitt. Sorry about/grateful for those chills. ❤️
Strong and powerful story, Van. Quite.
Thanks so much, Mark. It was one of those that just flew out of me when I saw the picture. ☺ It happens.
Short and powerful!
Thanks so much, FC. 💕
O-O-O-O-O Is this the start of a story, Van? This is really good!!! You’ve got me hooked already. I would love to see you continue with this. Good job, my friend …. keep going!!!!! ❤
Thanks. ☺ Always appreciate your input, dear Amy 💕
Well? Is it the start of a story or mayhaps a book even? 😉
I sometimes think there could be a book there about all the moves over the years and the encounters with so many different folks. So…maybe ?? 💕
YES!!!!!! ❤
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F.a.n.t.a.s.t.i.c. Emotional wallop? Yup. Front and center. Love this. 😀
Wow. Thanks so much, Tess, an opinion of yours is special to me on this one !! 💕
You are more than welcome.
Moi? I’m still the little green hornet, ‘learning’ my way up, but thanks for the compliment. ❤ ❤
a lot of raw power in very few words – loved it!
Thanks so much, Carol, for the read and the comment. ☺