Rainclouds
This is my fifth year participating in the April A-to-Z Challenge. The past couple of years, I’ve written 100-word flash fiction each day. This year I’m doing the same, only with a twist: each day’s story will be inspired by the title of a Paul McCartney song. So let’s continue the fun with…
RAINCLOUDS
“What’s that one, Daddy?”
“That’s called a cirrus cloud. It’s way, way up high in the sky.”
“It looks like white fluff,” Michael said.
Glenn stroked his son’s hair, then turned the page.
“Oh my!” said Michael, his eyes wide. “What’s that?”
“That’s cumulonimbus. They can stretch for miles up. That’s where we get rainclouds. Remember, I told you about rainclouds? That’s where our water comes from.”
“When will I see a real raincloud?”
Glenn held Michael close as they looked out at the little blue-green orb hanging in the silent starry sky.
“Soon, I hope. When it’s safe again.”
Check back tomorrow for “S”…
“Rainclouds” was the B-Side of the single “Ebony and Ivory,” Paul’s duet with Stevie Wonder released in 1982. It also features on the 2015 CD remaster of his “Tug of War” album. Paul co-wrote the song with his former Wings sidekick, Denny Laine.
Wow – this made me gasp. So many feelings in so few words!
Thank you, Celia. This is one of my favorites. 🙂
Whoa. Fantastic little twist at the end!
Thanks, Djinnia! 🙂
So very sweet and odd and where are the dead bodies? I did like the ending very much
… maybe on Earth? 😉 Thanks, Elise!
Nice ending, I didn’t see it coming.
Thanks, Me! 😀
Ah. Eerie.
Yes, it is a bit. What’s happened to the Earth…?
Didn’t see that coming, which makes it special to begin with. But then what you deliver there at the end, oh my, it’s special indeed. This is one of my favorites so far. I was completely in character reading the father’s dialogue and picked up his pensive mood at the end. Very real, very chilling. What’s up with this world, son?
I’m so glad you like it John. As I said, this is one of my favorites. Possible short story material, but on the other hand I like that much is left unsaid. That’s where the reader’s imagination fills in the gaps. If anything, this is the epilogue of an unwritten novel.
Oh, the epilogue that leads right into book 2 in the series, yes’m.
Book 2… the unwritten sequel to the unwritten novel… This is cool. I’m getting a lot of unwriting done today! 😀
Ha, yes. But a journey of 85,000 words — okay, 170,000 with the sequel — begins with Chapter 1. Gotta start somewhere!
Actually, it seems to have started with the epilogue–but I take your point, sir. 😉
Ha, good catch! You are an editor. I’m doing a Julie Weathers tonight — shutting off the Internet and flipping over the hourglass for a long editing session.
Well done, Colin! I too liked this one – very nice little twist!
Cool! Thanks, Donna. 🙂
Oooo. That was great. Made me wonder what happened.
~Ninja Minion Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
Thanks, Patricia. Right now, I leave that for you to imagine… 🙂
Impressive that you’ve done A to Z 5 years! Wow! And love to tie to music. 🙂
It’s a fun challenge, and a great way to find new blogs and see what other people are doing. Thank you, Yvonne! 🙂
That struck me as a sad little story, both for the world and the boy. Nicely done.
Yes, it is sad–but hopefully not the end. Thanks, Jean! 🙂
Ah, that is so sad, but what a powerful story in such a short span of words. I have such a great admiration for writers who can do this. Good job.
Thanks, Julie. I was pleased with this one in particular, so I’m glad others like it too.
“When it’s safe again.” That just chilled me. Nice twist.
Thank you, Heidi! 🙂
I love clouds! I was enjoying picturing the cirrus and cumulonimbus clouds and that twist ending totally caught me off guard. Well done!
Thanks for visiting my blog yesterday!
Elizabeth @ Liz’s Random Ponderings
Thank you, Elizabeth! I love it when a twist ending works. 🙂 You’re very welcome!
Unique and intriguing theme! I’m a Paul McCartney fan big time (and Beatles).
Yay! Another Macca fan!! I’ve heard rumors there are more of us around somewhere… 😉 Thanks, Luana!