Today we’re pleased to announce the winner of the seventh weekly Flash Fiction (formerly known as Writing Exercise) competition at Indies Unlimited.
The winning entry is rewarded with a special feature here today (which is cool as the other side of a pillow), and a place in our collection of winners which will be published as an e-book at year end.
The 17 entrants received a total of 80 votes. With 48% of those, the winner is: Contestant #5– Dianna Stover.
Congratulations to Dianna, and thanks to everyone who participated – excellent entries! Now, without further ado, (release doves) here’s the winning entry:
Remorse
by Dianna Stover
Looking through the pages of her dad’s album, Jackie sighed when her eyes settled on the picture. Within an instant she was back on that bridge, looking down on the rocky stream, trying to reason with her father. She could almost hear the whooshing sound of the water again as it flowed across the rocks.
She had to admit, nestled in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains, the old abandoned mill was the perfect spot for a Bed and Breakfast, and as a bonus for the guests, would have its own Winery. But Jackie had worried that running such an establishment would require more than her dad could endure. A seventy year old man should be retiring with less responsibility, not more!
She removed the picture with growing sadness and wished she would have handled the whole thing differently. In spite of her discouraging words, she loved him. She hoped he had known that.
“I don’t need you!” he had argued, “I can do this myself!” His pride dug in and he was not to be doubted. The haunting image resurfaced. Her dad turned in anger and slipped between the rails to his death on the rocks below.
Jackie felt the burden of grief weigh on her heart as she looked upon her dad’s marker. Clutching the picture she retrieved from his album, she placed it purposefully at its base and wept.
“I got it for you dad” she whispered softly, “Heaven’s Door is now open for business.”
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Excellent entry! Congrats.
Yay!! Ditto! Congrats Dianna! 🙂
Wow, well done Dianna!
Excellent story Dianna, you tugged at my heart!
Great piece Dianna. Congrats!.
Thank you very much! This was fun and I appreciate the kind words. Other than blogging about motorcycles for the last 4 years, this is the first time I've taken a turn at fiction. My riding days have sadly come to an end, so I'm trying to find a way to redirect all that pent up passion I'm carrying around. Thanks again everybody!
Oops… second. This was actually my second entry into the flash fiction contest. :/
Well done, it's cool you've taken the plunge to try your hand at fiction. You packed a lot of feeling into a handful of words : )
Congratulations Diana. Strong emotion from the daughter. I really enjoyed reading your story.
EmmlyJane
Beautiful story. Gave me goosebumps. 🙂
This certainly was a most excellent winning entry. Brought tears to my eyes, too. Great job, Dianna
Congrats, Dianna.
HUGE congrats to Dianna…so glad she is stepping out with her writing!!
Thank you again everybody! Y'all are great!
Great story, Dianna, and well written. Congratulations on the win!
This is lovely: Gentle and tranformational.
Congratulations, Dianna, this was a well written story that brought a tear to my eye and many others! Well done.