The Unexpected Tithe

Peoples came to church all sorts of ways. Early on, mens rode showy horses while their gals sat in buggies, shadin their pasty faces. Us poor folk walked, heads low so’s we wouldn’t look at no one. Cause problems.

Later, cars, mostly black, kicked dust in our eyes. Preacher Thompson had a fancy red truck. Course he did.

During the flood, Dawson piled us in his shrimp boat and blasted over them waters. Got to church directly on time. Thompson sermoned about the power of giving before claiming Dawson’s boat as a righteous offering.

Now Dawson ain’t got no money.

Summer Dreams

Today Rochelle Wisoff-Fields both provided and posted the photo prompt for the Friday Fictioneers Clan. Our Fairy Blog Mother takes good care of us.

 

Bent beneath the children’s backs, the grass smelled like spring and hope and freedom.
“What you see in them clouds?”
June, “I sees a angel. Wings spread wider ‘n Papa’s arms stretch when he wants a hug.”
Todd, “A frog wid fifteen fat legs. Cut ’em off so’s Mama can pop ’em in the frypan.”
Rosie, “An airplane. Me flyin’ it.”

Back at home, the house smelled of old grease and unwashed, drunken Papa.
The frying pan sat empty, but the bed was full of Mama, bruised and broken.
“Soup?” Rosie stared at the last cans in the cupboard. “Or beans?”

(100 words)

The Busker

Goodness! Wednesday/Friday has rolled around again. Thanks to Dee, we have snow in July. My 101 word story was inspired by an article on NPR – so, thanks to them, too.

Billy slipped into his shoes, holes and all, and stepped outside. Ice crystals tickled his skin. Snow. Tightening his shabby coat across his ten-year-old chest, he shuffled to the train station. The soles of his feet registered the number of travelers scurrying across the wooden platform – more than usual. Perhaps this would be the day he could buy carrots and potatoes for his mother. Quickly retrieving five leather balls from his pocket, he began juggling – sensing the balls by the change in the air.
Billy heard a coin drop.
“Come away, Stephanie,” a woman said.
“But, Mamma, Blind Billy is back!”

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