Sara Stark is the readers’ choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge.
The winning entry is rewarded with a special feature here today and a place in our collection of winners which will be published as an e-book at year end.
Without further ado, here’s the winning entry:
A Sucker Punch
by Sara Stark
The green punch, old Roy-Boy, his onetime best friend, would go for the green punch and add a hefty dose of JD to it while that lying little — while Tiffany wasn’t looking.
Blaine was pretty sure the ipecac wouldn’t hurt anyone, anyone abstaining that is. Besides, if he remembered correctly — and his memory was a bit hazy these days—Tiffany and all her friends were teetotalers. Something about the ipecac… The very bottle in his hand had been in the last “care” package she’d sent him. In his head, something flared like distant artillery.
Sure he had a problem. But barfing up what little they got to eat… Barfing in that heat wasn’t going to make Iraq a happier place. What made things better was a good dose of anti-reality, easily found in the rotgut liquor all too available in Iraq.
“— may kiss the bride.”
Too late. Blaine heard the crowd exploding as the happy couple walked down the aisle. He pocketed the ipecac and stepped back into the shadows of the reception hall.
And who stopped right in front of the alcove in which he hid? The Bride and Groom, of course.
“Don’t cry, hon,” Rat-Roy said.
“You know I love you.” Two-Timing-Tiffany sniffed into a tissue. “But this, this isn’t what I pictured.”
“I loved him too, you know. I wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t—”
Something fired in Blaine’s memory.
“I’d already planned,” Roy said. “I’m going to make a memorial speech at the reception.”
Congratulations Sara, a great story. 🙂
Congratulations. Nice story.
Congratulations! Very good story. 🙂
Thanks everyone for the lovely compliments. As always, there was some fierce competition.
Congratulations. 🙂 I’m convinced the stories are getting better and better every year. You’re in very good company.