Welcome to another 99-word flash piece inspired by the prompt over at Carrot Ranch: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about something frayed. It could be fabric, like a flag or garment. It could also be nerves or temper. What is it to be frayed?
For this one I decided to revisit two favorite characters from an earlier piece, The Old Lady. Enjoy!
The Blanket
Baby girl skips through the rain. She stops, holds her arms out, and spins.
“Child! You gonna catch pneumonia!”
“What’s that?” She runs to my dry spot outside the 7-11.
“A bad cough. C’mere.” I grab the tattered blanket from my cart and wrap her up. “Your momma can’t afford you gettin’ sick.”
She runs her fingers over the frayed edges. “This is old.”
“So am I.” I wink. “Don’t mean it ain’t still useful.”
She giggles and hands it back. “I’m gonna bring you a new one!”
“Nah.” I tap her nose with it. “This one’s just fine.”
Allison Maruska 
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Very nice!
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Thanks. 😊
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The mother and daughter share such a warm relationship just like the blanket.
http://ideasolsi65.blogspot.in/2017/06/tattered.html?m=1
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This is lovely, Allison. I feel the compassion already in the young girl’s heart. She reminds me of my granddaughter.
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Thanks. I think of a former student with her.
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I love this Allison. 89 words put together beautifully! So much portrayed in so few words.
Juliet
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Oops, typo – 99
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Thanks! I’m glad you like it. 🙂
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These two characters tug at my heart. It’s a beautiful, yet painful relationship. And sometimes, the old one is just enough. The message is clear: we are not disposable.
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💜
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