Last Thanksgiving

Sunday Photo Fiction prompt

Sunday Photo Fiction prompt

The rain had pinned the last of October’s skittering leaves to the curb, where they lay rotting.

Last year she was soccer mom, wearing a rut in the road from Daisytowne to Oak Park.

Last year, Thanksgiving was a bother, tacked on the end of the choral follies, with Steve’s mom staying for more than a week. Last year she was putting away Em’s princess costume and stewing because no manufacturer could actually make a coat to last a kid from one winter to the next. Last year, she was making apple pies for the fundraiser, swatting at the powder of flour on Emily’s nose, saying things that started with when you grow up.

Last year– —

she had had Thanksgiving but was not grateful.

This year, there would be neither.

This has been flash fiction inspired by Al Forbes’s Sunday Photo Fiction prompt. To read more or submit your own, click the blue froggy button:

15 Comments

  1. Mandibelle16's avatar
    mandibelle16

    A very effective last line . . . Tears!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Joy Pixley's avatar

    So much sad emotion conveyed here, and a good reminder to appreciate what we have now, because you never know.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. nonnaci's avatar

    Bring back thanksgiving! **tears

    Liked by 1 person

  4. J Hardy Carroll's avatar

    Heartbreaking and excellent.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Sunday Fiction's avatar

    A moving story, and shows that we should be grateful for what we have as it may be gone in seconds.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. draliman's avatar

    Very sad. A reminder to be thankful for what we have.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Steve Lakey's avatar

    A dramatic twist that brings home what we take for granted.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Dave's avatar

    The wolf is always at the door. If only we could remember to remember.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. M K Zebra's avatar

    A great portrait of the relationship between mother and children.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. paulmclem's avatar
    paulmclem

    Does the second paragraph imply a road accident?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. K. Rawson's avatar

      That’s a good hunch. I wasn’t sure what the tragedy was, but that idea has merit. Thanks Paul

      Like

  11. Donna's avatar

    If only we could always remember to be thankful for what we have at any given time but life gets buys and we forget until something makes us remember. Great story

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Priceless Joy's avatar

    Such a sad story. I have a feeling she lost her child.

    Like

  13. ceayr's avatar

    I missed this when you wrote it.
    I am glad I found it now.
    It is a terrific piece of writing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. K. Rawson's avatar

      How very kind! You made my day 🙂

      Like

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