The Dream
flash fiction
Week #1 Flash Writing Prompt: DREAM
Write a 500-ish-word story. Any genre.
The Dream
There once was a girl named Cindy with a dream to be seen. She tried hiding to make herself real. She hid inside closets, under the bed, and across the dining room chairs under the cover of the overhanging tablecloth. Her parents never found her because they never thought to look. One day, after another failed attempt at being noticed, Cindy stormed into the kitchen where her parents were lost in their conversation. With tears streaming down her cheeks, Cindy cried, “Why aren’t you noticing me?”
Cindy’s mom raised her fine brows in surprise. “What do you mean?”
“I keep hiding all over the house every day, being extra quiet, and you don’t get worried. You don’t come looking to see what’s happened.”
Cindy’s father chuckled.
“It’s not funny, Daddy. Why aren’t you worried?”
Cindy’s dad leaned back in his chair. “Because we know you’re in the house and safe. If you want to be noticed, you are going about it all the wrong way.”
Cindy stuck out her bottom lip, folding her arms across her chest, completely dumbfounded. “How?”
“Easy. Stop hiding. Make a lot of noise. Get in this kitchen and make a racket. Ask a bunch of questions. Maybe dance and sing a song, too!”
Cindy’s mom laughed, clasping her hands together in a plea. “Please, Cindy, I would love that! Oh, what fun it will be. I’ll dance with you, too.”
Cindy cocked an eyebrow and rubbed her chin, thinking. “Make noise, ask questions, dance, and sing?”
“Absolutely!” Her parents chimed in together with delight.
Cindy was confused. “But you’re always looking for Brett and Brad when they’re quiet.”
Cindy’s dad nodded. “Yep. For the same reason, only turned around. They are always making noise, playing cowboys and train robbers, and wrestling. If they go quiet, I get suspicious. Have to make sure they’re not building a campfire in the middle of their bedroom, you know.”
All the lights turned in inside Cindy’s head. Of course! Her brothers were so obnoxious. Banging around the house, wrestling, slamming doors, and shouting war cries at the top of their lungs. Silence, from them, meant something totally different. A secret kind of trouble. Cindy rolled her shoulders, started bouncing on the balls of her feet, then slid to the left, did a little move, and clapped her hands
Cindy’s mom watched for a couple of seconds before jumping next to her, clapping her hands. Together, they started singing the lyrics to a song.
Alright, we gonna do the basic steps
To the left
Take it back now y’all
One hop this time,
Right foot lets stomp
Left foot lets stomp
Cha cha real smooth
Turn me into baby food!
Cindy had imagined her dream all wrong. Doing and singing the Cha Cha Slide, by DJ Casper, with her mom, became a regular occurrence. Her dad joined in a lot, too. Cindy learned that being quiet was never necessary and became a happy little chatterbox from that night onward.
Thank you for reading this flash fiction piece.
Welcome to join me and write a 500-ish piece related to “Dream”.
Hi, I am Annette J Sharp, a writer and artist from New Mexico. I write fiction and non-fiction, and create quirky art. I have new offerings moving forward that call for open participation for anyone interested.
Mondays - 500-ish Word Prompts
Tuesdays - Joke or Humorous Story
Wednesdays - War(rior) Write
Thursday - Thirsty (Goals)
Friday - Freaky or Weird
Saturday - PJ Party Talk (volunteer to join me LIVE)
Sunday - Peace of Art (LIVE)
Okay, it’s all kicking off this week. My way of keeping on track, and maybe offering something if you’re feeling stuck sometimes, too. Excited about Saturday’s Pajama Parties, which I might do from bed 🌛😄
Cute story!! Cindy, we gotta be loud to be noticed! Good ideas for the days of the week, too! Inspiring that you’ve committed in that way! Haha, I think to myself, wouldn’t it be nice if you had a plan (kinda like what you did here) but then I remember I’m me and plans… don’t stick. 🤣 But I’m excited for you and look forward to these theme days!
I am posting this here today. Next week I will post it on my Substack on a scheduled day.
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Dreams
Thunder crashed over head and sent the dog scooting under the desk where he quivered.
“That’s a good place for him,” stated Marcia as she picked up her glass of wine. “He’s been basically useless since Mike left.”
Cindy paused with her wine glass poised over her mouth before pulling it back and setting it on the table. “Mike is gone?”
Marica looked over the rim as she drained her glass. “More?” she inquired as Cindy held her glass out. “Yes,” Marcia said rather huffily. “He is gone. I had to tell him to go his own way. I had enough of his pettiness, his rudeness and most certainly his…..”
“Playing games, His macho ideas, his…”
“Let’s not bash the guy too much. Let’s say it was too lonely being with him. Been down that way once. Okay, been down that way twice. Never going back again.” They laughed loudly.
When did this happen?” inquired a wide eyed Cindy.
“When we were down at Silver Springs trying to make up for the last fight. He had bought me a chain. At that point I turned to him and said I don’t need no sugar daddy. I need a man who cares about me and is into me. “
“Good for you,” replied Cindy. “You don’t need your illusions of love shattered by anyone.” They listened as the wind blew in the night. Cindy spoke to break the silence. “You’ve got to think about the times to come. Forget him. He is second hand news.”
Marica looked over at Cindy. “He sent me this note.”
“I wish you all the love in the world”
“Nice thought,” said Marcia, “but it’s too late. I don’t believe in miracles. He’s not going to change. He’s gone his own way. I can’t stop my life. I have to move on.”
Cindy looked at Marcia with large eyes. “So you are over him. He’s not coming back into your life?”
Marcia glanced over at Cindy, taking a good look. “You are a good friend Cindy. Thank you for listening.”
“My love’s got nothing to do. I am here for you.”
Marcia refilled their wine glasses. “We need to talk.”
Songs referenced.
Second Hand News
Dreams
Never Going Back Again
Don't Stop
Go Your Own Way
Songbird
The Chain
You Make Loving Fun
I Don't Want to Know
Oh Daddy
Gold Dust Woman
Silver Springs