ENTRY: Flash Fiction July 16-27

First Time...
By Lynda Schab

9:00.

Two more hours. I pace. Sit. Turn the television on. Then off again. Listen to the clock.

Tick. Tock. Tick Tock.

“Relax,” Ben says. “She’ll be fine.”

“Hmph.”

“We taught her well. It’s time to let go.”

“Whatever.”

10:00.

More pacing. Nail biting. Lip chewing. Praying. Listening to the clock.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

10:59.

Open the blinds. Watch. Pray again. Listen to the clock.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

11:03.

Headlights in the driveway. A key in the door. The clock gets louder.

Tick! Tick! Tick!

Oh, wait. That’s my heart.

My baby’s home.


Submitted by
Lynda Schab