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Turkey Day, by Jim Bartlett

22/11/2019

 
From behind the thick oak, just to the front of the barn, Tom watches as the men shake hands with the Farmer, fold up their papers, and make their way back to the car. With a final wave, they head up the old dirt road, disappearing on the main highway, leaving nothing more than a cloud of dust in their wake. The Farmer, his shoulders in a bit of a sag, remains frozen in place long after they are gone, his gaze unwavering from where the car once was.

Finally, after several more minutes, he picks up his wicker basket, filled with corn and squash freshly picked from the garden just to the side of the barn, and turns toward the house.

“What was that all about?”

Henrietta’s question catches Tom with a start – he thought she was with the rest of the group out behind the garden – and he jumps forward, banging his beak on the tree.

“Sorry...” she says with a chuckling gobble.

“It looks like Farmer has decided to become something called a vegetarian. Which means he’s not having...uh, turkey...uh, one of US...for Thanksgiving dinner this year.”

“Oh my...that’s wonderful news! Isn’t it?”

“I sure think so.”

“So who were those other men?”

“I guess Farmer doesn’t feel right keeping us here, so he’s sending us off to some sort of Turkey paradise run by those men.”

“Turkey paradise!!” Henrietta’s voice jumps a full octave. “Oh my! Where, oh, where is this wonderful place?”

“I’m not sure, but I heard them call it Butterball...”
Michael McCarthy
22/11/2019 05:32:34 pm

there´s a real sting in the tail of this, which I did not see coming, having been lulled into expecting a nice happy ending. Great stuff, Jim!

Jim link
22/11/2019 06:19:55 pm

Thanks for the comments, Mike. Always appreciate the read and your thoughtful reviews!!
Take care
Jim

Mike B
22/11/2019 05:57:58 pm

Another good one Jim!!! Happy Thanksgiving cut short for some I’m afraid...

Jim link
22/11/2019 06:21:15 pm

All the Mikes are commenting today ;-) Thanks ever so much for the read and taking a moment to comment. Very much appreciated!
Thanks again
Jim

Doug the slacker
23/11/2019 12:09:39 am

Nicely done. Keep it up.

Jim link
23/11/2019 12:15:56 am

Thanks, Doug! (Though I expect some writing action soon from those fingers of yours ;-)
Jim

Marjan sierhuis
23/11/2019 10:31:34 pm

Wonderfully creative, Jim. But I don't expect anything less from you. Loved it.

Jim link
24/11/2019 02:55:01 am

Wow - you are too kind, Marjan! I much appreciate the read and the very kind comments, though now I must admit, I FEEL the pressure!! ;-)
Thanks again!
Jim


Comments are closed.

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    Friday Flash Fiction is primarily a site for stories of 100 words or fewer, and our authors are expected to take on that challenge if they possibly can. Most stories of under 150 words can be trimmed and we do not accept submissions of 101-150 words.


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    ​Please note that we tend to post longer flash fiction exactly as we find it – wrong spacing, everything.

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