Carrot Ranch September 28 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a prickly story.
Jane tucks her unsold papers away and skinnies through the tourists along Pike Place. The library awaits, and the research paper that will lead to a diploma that will, hopefully, lead to her own home again.
Something flashes in her vision, apart from the noise and smells and colors of the shops and vendor stalls. She slows, eyes moving more deliberately. There, nestled in a display of jams and honeys: Prickly pear jelly.
Taste of home.
She gladly forks over a hard-earned seven dollars. How often does she get a treat? Spread thinly enough, she can make this last.
This is a vignette from The Life and Times of Jane Doe. Fun 99-word flash fiction from other writers can be found at the Carrot Ranch link above.
99 Monkeys 
A good take on the prompt, a good read. 😇
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Thank you!
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A sweet treat as was your take on the prompt. 😇
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Jane has such a rich world going on beneath the surface as she tries to navigate her homeless circumstances.
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Thank you!
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This is awesome, Deborah. It really appealed to me with its mention of prickly pear. It reminded me of the devastation it caused with its introduction into Australia. The use of the cactoblastis moth to eradicate it was one of the first and most successful forms of biological pest control. I wonder have you heard of it. Here is a link to some information if you are interested. https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/55301/IPA-Prickly-Pear-Story-PP62.pdf The story is of particular interest to me because of a hall dedicated to the insect’s memory which was beside a shop owned by my aunt and uncle during my teenage years. The two buildings were “in the middle of nowhere”. I think there is probably not a memorial hall to any other insect anywhere. Here is some information on that too, if you are interested. https://www.environment.gov.au/node/19384 I wish I’d thought to write about it in answer to Charli’s challenge. Thank you for encouraging me (how ever inadvertently) to think about it again.
None of my ramblings are meant to detract from your beautiful, emotive flash. Your final two sentences portray the longing for home and their pleasures well.
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Thank you so much, Norah! I had not known that about prickly pear and Australia. The balance of ecosystems is so delicate. I would love to see the memorial hall! I like moths (except the ones that eat clothes. ..). What a fun tidbit.
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I’m pleased you enjoyed it. I always wonder about sharing (unsolicited) information. But then I think – you don’t have to read if you don’t want to.
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Wonderful take on the prompt!
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Thank you!
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