By Barb Edler 24 March 2026

Yesterday Kathy Fish shared a numerical flash fiction prompt. I have never heard of a list story! She also shared several links. Here’s one of my favorites: https://www.matchbooklitmag.com/carvell

1. Mom’s bedridden at age 36, a complete invalid. She’s unable to take care of herself or speak. We communicate with an alphabet board and a Q&A system. She knows what’s going on but is helpless.
2. “We’re all going to die! We’re all going to die,” Pam chants as dad passes several cars. Pam starts to count, “1, 2, 3…..10. We’re all going to die.” Mom has to pee and Dad’s pissed so he starts passing cars like he’s got road rage with a capital R.
3. We survive.
4. While driving home one Christmas Eve, a car drives erratically down Highway 1. Dad decides to turn around and chase it. He speeds furiously through the streets of Anamosa. The car Dad’s chasing finally stops at a red light and Dad jumps out and screams, “You could have killed my wife and five children!”
5. We survive and I completely understand the irony even though I’m sure Dad is clueless.
6. On the way to the airport, Dad loses his cigar. He reaches across the van floor to retrieve it. The car swerves into another lane. I thought for sure we’d die, but we survive.
7. Between mother’s illness and father’s anger, we don’t all survive. Only three of us remain to share their stories.

daffodils bloom
heaven scent reminder—
breathe