Author Archives: Ross Mannell
Saturday Centus – Wk#113 – Photo Prompt – 100 words – “Such a Baby”
Matilda was almost at the top, “You still got me?”
“I’ll never let you go,” her belaying father called from below.
Two others were talking, “He’s crying. What’s his story?”
“Matilda had heart failure and needed a transplant. She was one of the lucky ones. A donor heart became available.”
“She looks so well. His tears are for joy?”
“I asked him. He said joy but also for the parents who lost their child but donated a heart.”
“Organ donation is important.”
Matilda was back on the floor wiping tears from her father’s eyes, “You’re such a baby.”
He smiled.
#100WCGU – Wk47 – Prompt: the emotions / thoughts that the below image stir in you – 100 words – “Gaudy But Seen”
What were they thinking? It’s gaudy, ugly, out of place. It’s… brilliant.
I see their point. Had this been just another small place to refuel, we would pass it by without much thought, only stopping if we needed to refill, but it’s gaudy red and white would attract the curious, particularly families.
I can imagine passing families being halted by children insisting on having the car refilled by the teapot. Curious eyes would be peeking inside to see what fairy tale characters might lurk within.
It’s far better to be noticed as gaudy than not to be noticed at all.
Saturday Centus – Wk#112 – Prompt: It’s an amusing little whine – 105 words – “Names?”
“Mmmuuummm! It’s happening again.”
“It’s an amusing little whine,” a mother said to her friend.
“He sounds so upset.”
The mother smiled, “Go and ask him what’s wrong.”
The friend stood and walked into the room where the boy sat. She soon returned, a broad smile upon her face.
“Now I see his problem,” the friend agreed.
In the other room, the boy watched intently. He knew what was happening but it was still a surprise for him.
“She’s having another one mum. How many will she have?” he called out.
A fifth puppy had arrived. The boy had run out of names for them.
Saturday Centus – Wk#111 – Prompt: Has it really been a decade? – 106 words – “The Joy of My Life”
Has it really been a decade? I mean, really, where has the time gone?
I watched my daughter sleeping. It was her 10th birthday. How angelic she looked and how soon the moment would be broken by the excitement on her waking. All too short a time ago, I would cradle her in my arms as she would gurgle and smile up at me.
She was waking.
I kissed her on her cheek, “Happy birthday.”
She wrapped her arms around me, “Thanks, daddy.”
She scrambled out of bed, excited by the expected gift.
Ten years of happy memories bundled up in the joy of my life.
100WCGU – Wk#46 – Prompt: In the dark recesses of my mind – 107 words – “Cunning Plan”
In the dark recesses of my mind an idea formed. I had a goal. I thought I had the solution. I might be six, but don’t underestimate my cunning.
I practised what I would say. I knew I had to be a good actor to carry it off or my plan wouldn’t work.
I needed to build my courage to face the foe and achieve my goal. It was time.
“Mum…”
“Hello sweetie, would you like a piece of the cake I baked?”
My jaw dropped in surprise, “Yes, please.”
How did she know what I wanted? She can read minds. It must be a mum thing.
100WCGU – Wk#45 – Prompt: There’s a real buzz about this place – 100 words – “Virtual”
“There’s a real buzz about this place,” Zoe warned.
At first Myles thought she meant this was a place where much was happening but it was true, there was a faint buzz. The sound seemed to be everywhere.
Somewhere far above, probing eyes looked down, “I’ll need to reset. They almost discovered the truth.”
For just an instant, Myles and Zoe’s world ceased to exist then reappeared but they didn’t sense it. They did realise there was no longer a buzz.
A thought again from above, “The people in this 3D Virtual World Sims version are the most realistic yet.”
Saturday Centus – Wk#110 – Prompt: You could have had it all… – 106 words – “I Did”
“You could have had it all. You were in a high paid job and on the track to fame and fortune yet you threw it in to become a teacher.”
An elderly man smiled weakly at his nephew, “Riches aren’t always measured in wealth and fame.”
“But what has it given you?” the nephew asked.
Smiling, “Read some cards.”
There were many to choose from as every spare space had been taken up by them. The nephew started to read…
“To the best teacher in the world.”
“You were there when I needed someone.”
“Okay,” the nephew agreed, “but you could’ve had it all.”
“I did.”
Saturday Centus – Wk#109 – Prompt: Photo – 100 words – “for Niamh”
Kalea strode across the dais on her kindergarten graduation day. Tears of joy were in our eyes as we watched.
She was so little when we’d received the news. She had neuroblastoma. The doctors said she was in the low risk category and had a good chance of cure. Our hearts had skipped a beat. Cancer was cancer.
To look at her now, you’d never know. Her hospital friend’s odds were not so good. She was also five when she lost her battle.
Running to us, she said, “This is for Niamh too.”
“She’d be proud of you,” we replied.
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Note: While this is a fictional story, Niahm is not. She was a brave little girl who suffered from neuroblastoma, a very common form of cancer in young children. Her parents had been raising awareness of the cancer. Despite her parents’ efforts to raise funds for the surgery they hoped would save her, she recently lost her battle. She was only five and someone I came to know through Twitter.
#100WCGU – Wk#44 – Prompt: Poem related to the Diamond Jubilee – “Our Time Too”
When people cheered the new crowned queen,
Her beauty, her majesty, few had seen.
T’was on that day we pledged out troth,
To share our lives we promised, both.
Many years have passed and time has come,
A time so rarely seen ‘cept by some,
They speak of the Diamond Jubilee,
Our Diamond too, for her and me.
The years have passed though hair is grey,
I turn to her to have my say.
She hushes me and holds me tight,
We see each other as on first night.
The Queen of Diamonds has her day,
For us we’d have it no other way.
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