I’ll dedicate this one to Doobster and Rachel, both of whom are not fans of pumpkin.
Jack ‘O Lanterns
She placed the project on the counter, turning it this way and that. Maybe the stump should be on the bottom this year. Something classic with triangles, or should she go with more detail?
More classic, I think. She used a felt tipped pen to make the triangular eyes and nose, then added a huge crooked grin from one side to another.
She thought about her son and smiled. A quick glance at the clock told her he’d be home from school in about ten more minutes. Four quick strokes of the knife across a honing steel and the edge was ready. She sliced open the top and scooped out the nasty parts.
The wind picked up and the sound of rustling leaves moving toward the door made her smile. She quickly stabbed out the facial features of her classic Jack ‘O Lantern and threw the pieces in the garbage. A quick wipe with a towel, a short fat candle, and her masterpiece was finished.
The door knob turned and she gushed in anticipation of her son’s approval.
“Mom, I’m home!”
“In the kitchen. Come see what I made.”
She loved him so much. The summer sun combined with the frosty air outside gave him the most adorable flush.
“Oh man! We always carve it together. Why didn’t you wait for me?”
She reached out a leafy green vine and unfurled a tendril along his smooth orange skin. “Don’t worry, Pumpkin. Mama got you one of your very own. Get your human out of the fridge and I’ll help you take out the nasty bits.”
Love this!
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Thank you.
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Wahaaaay! Fabulous! Wasn’t expecting that little twist! Well done, Craig!
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Thanks. This new form (for me) has been quite fun.
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Yes, you’re good at it!
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Thanks. I hope they’re all well received. I always get nervous sharing something for the first time. More coming next week.
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I know how you feel… I was just the same when I shared my first poem, and again lsst week when I shared my attempts at short story writing. Its a sign we care…
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I love love love love this one. That twist ending still gets me.
Absolutely wonderful!
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Reblogged this on Mari Wells and commented:
You have to read this story!!!!!
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Great story! More please!
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I’m going to post one every Thursday in October. Glad you’re enjoying them, and thanks for the follow.
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Those damn pumpkins. I knew they were out to get us.
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Never trust Mrs. Pumpkin.
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Reblogged this on Mindful Digressions and commented:
Remember my good-natured pumpkin food fight a few days ago. Well, this is the guy I had it with and he actually dedicated this little piece of pumpkin fiction to me…well, to me and to someone named Rachel. But still.
It’s a fun little piece of seasonal fiction with a bit of a twist for its ending. Enjoy. I’m going to disable comments on this reblog, so please comment on the original post.
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A nice Halloweeny twisted ending.
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Thank you so much, and thanks for following my blog. I’ll return the favor.
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Thank you! I look forward to catching a few of your posts.
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Love t!
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Oops I meant love it!
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I love, love, love, love, love it!!!! And since I hate pumpkin, how could I not? Great job, my friend! 😀
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Thank you!
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Reblogged this on Rachel Carrera, Novelist and commented:
Woo Hoo! I am the Rachel who is not a pumpkin fan! Hee hee! Please read what my friend and fellow blogger Craig has to say about it…
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Reblogged this on S.K. Nicholls and commented:
My favorite Halloweenie story so far 🙂
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I do love a good disturbing short story. Halloweeny stories are a-coming!
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Liked your story so much I had to follow your blog to catch the next one. Nice twist at the end. I did not see that coming.
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Thank you for that. I’ll follow back.
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Reblogged this on Underground Energy and commented:
Another scary story. This is so much fun. I do hope more people join in!
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Oh wow, I did not expect the twist in here. Great story!!! Thank you. Love, Amy
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Glad you enjoyed it.
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Nicely done sir! It’s wonderful on it’s own; I especially like the nice touch of Mama Pumpkin adjusting her son’s tendril! It also reminds me of a Wil Wheaton flash fiction piece called The Monster In My Closet (can be found via Google if interested). Looking forward to the rest of your October series!
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Thanks for dedicating this to Rachel. If she hadn’t reblogged it I wouldn’t have found you. I love it. Love all entertaining stories, esp. since I couldn’t tell one if my life depended on it.
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Rachel is awesome. She’s been a big help to me, and I owe her several times over. Thanks for following and glad you liked my post.
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Wow you are really good at writing these!
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Thanks, again. This one went crazy on my stats, so it was pretty well received. I hope I can keep living up to expectations. (Fingers crossed.)
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Creepy… 0_0
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Superbly creepy and wonderfully surprising! (clapping)
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so unexpected. kinda like a preview of a halloween movie.
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Thanks, Rudy. This form requires me to get to the point fast. I suppose they are like a preview in a way.
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