Chuck Wendig’s Flash Fiction Challenge

Novelist, Screenwriter, Game Designer, and all-around funny dude Chuck Wendig is running a flash fiction challenge this week (ending on Friday). The challenge is to write a 100-word piece of flash fiction. Since I’ve written one or two of these “drabbles” in my time, I thought I might give it a go.

I found out about this from my blog friend and fellow North Carolinian Donna Everhart, who dipped into her archives of Janet Reid Contest entries for her submission. Since this is my first go around at one of Chuck’s challenges, I figure I should do likewise and put my best foot forward. So, if you’ve frequented Janet’s writing contests over the past six months, then you’ll recognize this one. Otherwise, enjoy what I consider one of my best (so far):

Jessica picked up the bottle of baby oil, one of six in a gift box. The card attached read: “From one mother to another. Congratulations! Love, Mom.” A flip of her thumb released the top and she inhaled deeply the scent of newborn, flooding her with memories. The heartbeat booming through the ultrasound device. Grainy images on the screen. The kicks.

Jessica wiped her eyes and replaced the bottle with the other shower gifts: diapers, onesies, toys, all carefully arranged on the dining room table. In the middle, a pair of booties. A reminder of the day the kicking stopped.