#flashficfridayofficial

[renee-writer]

The Longest Day

Written for @flashfictionfridayofficial #308 prompt The Price of Freedom

WC: 130

CW: Descriptions of war

Picture via Pinterest

The price of peace was paid in the blood of thousands of young men. So many stormed the beach on that longest day. Eighty-one years ago, men barely old enough to shave entered France via Normandy. The ocean turned from blue to red as their blood flowed. Still, the greatest generation kept coming. Men after men, full of grit and determination, trudging through their fallen soldiers towards the German infantry.

They refused to back down knowing the price of freedom was worth the cost.  They fought so their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren wouldn't have too. 

They fought to stop the camps. 

They fought…

Now it is our turn. The children of their children’s children. Now matter the cost, the cost of freedom is worth it. It is always worth it.

[renee-writer]

Best Case ( for Charlie)

Written for @flashfictionfridayofficial #322 prompt Best Case Scenario

WC: 234

CW: Murder/ Death

Original work

We grieve for you but not like people without hope. We hurt for your wife and two precious children.  We pray for their comfort and peace. It hurts knowing you won't be here to watch them grow up. But not without hope. No, for we know you are in heaven. We know that you are in His Presence and His Peace. 

No, it isn't the best case scenario. That would be you still being here with us, more importantly, with them. Still, you are in a much better place and a much better situation than those who celebrate your killing. Praise God there is no sadness in heaven. You won't ever know, through the awesome eternity that you are in, no, you won't know about the hate that is exposed by your murder.

They do, unfortunately. Your wife, your family, friends, followers. So we pray fervently for them and for your children for the internet lives forever. One day, they may see the horrible things that were said about their daddy. 

We will take it up, your mission. They silenced your voice but that only amplified it. Several people are already planning to pick up your dropped microphone. More will surely follow. I promise you didn't die for nothing. 

Your legacy will live on. Through those you touched with the truth, through those that will follow after, through your precious children. 

The truth cannot be silenced.

[renee-writer]

Still the Same

Written for @flashfictionfridayofficial #318 Lighting Strikes Twice

WC: 264

Fandom: Outlander

Warnings: None

Canon Complaint

AO3

https://archiveofourown.org/works/69266981

She tries, she really does. She had made a promise, after all. To try to forget, to move on. Even as she carries his child within her, she attempts to renew the love she once had for Frank. She really does.

Still, after the birth of his daughter, every time she manages to be intimate with him, she closes her eyes and pictures Jamie. It is the only way she can get through it. She simply cannot transfer her deep feelings for Jamie back to Frank.

A promise to forget was made but can't be kept. Brianna is the split of her biological father. Every day as she cares for her child, she can't help but recall the memories she made with Jamie.

“Is it different?” She is taken back to that mountain top the day after their wedding. Their hands move together as their bodies had the previous night.

It was. She didn't understand how much until she was back with Frank, the only person she had as a comparison.

“When I lay with you, when we touch?”

She recalls her answer. “It is somewhat like this but, no Jamie, this is different.”

Oh how different! She just couldn't make herself even pretend after a while. It was a relief when he gave up and took a lover.

She put all that love she couldn't show to him into their daughter and her career.

To find out that he was still alive! There are no words. Now she stands, shaking with overwhelming emotions. His hands hold hers the way they had that day on that mountain top.

“It's still there.” He is right. Whatever that was, that incredible thing that drew them together and stayed strong through all those years apart, it was still there. Still the same. Lightning does strike twice.

[renee-writer]

Mother's Day

Written for @flashfictionfridayofficial #304 prompt: One Day More Content Warning Child Death, Grief

She misses her. She misses them, the babies born sleeping. The woman who gave her birth. She misses him, her first born, her beautiful boy, lost to his mental illness. Unmedicated.

For one more day, for one more minute, a second more, to have time with them. One more conversation with mom. One more second holding Elijah, one more carrying the other two lost ones in her womb. One more time to try to convince Joshua to take his medicine.

One more time.

Oh, not that she is complaining. How can she when she is blessed with her boys and her grandchildren? No, her mother's day will be blessed.

For God has blessed her with one day more.

[renee-writer]

First Date

Written for @flashfictionfridayofficial #311 prompt True Colours

WC 149

TW: Bombing

Original Work

“What are your true colors? What part of you do you hide from everyone?” 

She chuckles. What a question for a first date.

“You don't believe in small talk, do you?” 

He smiles and shakes his head. “No, I don't. We don't have time for it, do we?”

A fair point. “No, I guess we don't. I am a bit insecure and have trouble trusting people. My childhood was traumatic.”

He nods. “Thank you. That is a bit hard right now, I imagine.”

“Just a bit. What about you?”

“I show myself as tough but deep inside I am terrified.”

“Understandable. Will you see to me if I can trust you?”

“Absolutely.” 

They look beyond the bombed out diner they are sitting in. “Good. We should probably get out of here.”

He takes her hand and they carefully move past the rubble as the bombs start to fall again.

[renee-writer]

Written for @flashfictionfridayofficial #277 prompt, silver sparks.

Crown of Glory

Pale blonde

Almost white

At my birth

Dirty blonde

As I grew older

Dyed and permed

Through my teenage years

Mom buns through my twenties

At first I dyed

The silver away

The silver sparks

That show my age

But

Now I embrace them

These signs of survival

Aging is a privilege denied to many

Celebrate those silver streaks and sparks

That white and grey hair

A crown of glory

That not all get to wear.

[renee-writer]

Written for @flashfictionfridayofficial #297 prompt: Like a weed

Dandelion

Unwanted

Ugly

Ruining the pristine

Green expanse

Of the yard

Pulled up

Thrown away

Just a weed

Just a dandelion

Worth nothing

But

The wakening bees

Searching for that

First taste of nectar

They are vital

Unwanted

Ugly

Ruinous

Well I guess that depends on who you ask

The next time someone makes you

Feel like a weed

Unwanted

Ugly

Ruinous

Remember the bees

You may just be exactly what someone needs

None of us are useless weeds

Not even the dandelion.

[renee-writer]

Job

Written for @flashfictionfridayofficial #305 prompt Divine Questioning

WC 188

Warnings: mentions childhood cancer and other tragedies.

We understand it, don't we? He needs answers. His anger. His doubt. His divine questioning. 

We ask the same, don't we? When bad things happen. We can't seem to understand why, if we are good, why God, do such things happen? Why do children get cancer? Why do tornadoes wipe out towns? Why all the suffering?

It is okay to question God. He didn't scold Job, after all. But He didn't really answer him either. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the world? He questions. His own divine questioning silences Job but it also brings a deep peace. 

No, He doesn't get all the answers nor will we. There is peace though in knowing the God who feeds the ravens, placed the armor on the dinosaurs, shows the waves were to stop on the shore, and calls the stars by name; He also carries us in His hands and sings songs of joy over us.

Bring Him your questions and rest in His Peace. He can handle both. Recall also, He restored all Job lost and then some. He will do the same for you.