Happy Monday! Every Monday I devote my post to a flash fiction writing challenge that I host. It is called Mondays Finish the Story. This is a flash fiction challenge where I provide a photo and the opening line to a story. The writer is to use the opening line and write a story that goes with the photo. The word limit is 100-150 words, not including the opening line. Here is my contribution to this week’s challenge. The opening sentence is in bold and italicized letters.
The Hedge – © 2015, Barbara W. Beacham
“The barista shook his head. That hedge couldn’t have moved closer overnight. Could it?” He scratched his head and wondered.
He went about his morning chores getting ready for the morning rush of coffee drinkers. Time ticked by and no one came in. “Strange,” he thought to himself. Going to the door, he looked out through the glass. He put his hands in his pockets, and looked towards the street on his right.
“Funny,” he thought, “I don’t recall seeing that hedge trimmed in the images of people.” He ventured out the door and walked over to examine the hedge. The leaves appeared newly cut. He turned to go back in.
He felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning, he saw a green man that was transparent. “What?” asked the barista.
He began to feel strange. The green man moved him over to the hedge. Looking down at his hands, he saw leaves sprouting. The green man smiled and said, “Welcome to the family.”
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Mondays Finish the Story
I hope that you enjoyed my story. You can join in too just by clicking HERE!
Thanks for dropping by and have an amazing week. Be well… ^..^
Life in the Foothills 
That was really creepy, Barbara.
It makes me want to look closer at oddly trimmed hedges from now on. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
I am glad that you enjoyed my story Suzanne. I had fun writing this one. Stay away from those hedges as you just never know…
ooh they’re out recruiting new green men! doing their bit for the environment I guess :p
sorry I’ve been a bit quiet lately Barbara – have been battling the worst flu!
TN – so sorry to hear you have had the flu! I hope that you are on the mend and I look forward to you getting back into your groove. Get well quick! Barb ^..^
Thankyou- we’ve been in the trenches over the past few weeks with the latest viral installation from my sons daycare infecting the entire household :p
😦 When I worked in corporate America, one was guaranteed the flu at least once a year. Some idiot would come to work ill, and spread it around. If I had been the supervisor, I would have sent them home immediately. Folks seem to think that it makes them a good employee to show up ill. I differ in that opinion. If you get a whole department sick, and people call in sick, well… Be well…
Exactly- and spreading the love on buses and trains on their way in to work…:p
🙂
Ha, here we go again. Wonder what the barista was up to the previous evening! Must have been something to do with his drinking problem! perfect story for the photo!
Thank you Scrapdo!
Maybe this is taking “Going Green” to the extreme 🙂 Nice one!
Thank you Ansumani! 🙂
We have Hebe’s for our hedges and they are full of bees at the moment ~ I wonder ? ~~~ Lovely thoughtful post Barb 🙂
I wonder now too! Glad you enjoyed my bit of flash!
Good one, Barb. I can see people running on the streets being attacked by mysterious hedges. Oh, I tell you the earth is no longer safe. 😉
It will not be safe as long as I am writing stories that make it unsafe. 🙂
Does kinda leave you with a creepy feeling, I will definitely be giving the hedges a wide berth! Truly fun!
Thanks Yolanda!
So much for global warming… now we need to worry about our hedges!
A fun and delightful read 🙂
Thanks for hosting.
Glad you enjoyed my story! YW on the hosting. I am blessed by all those who take part, so thank you!
Interesting angle.
This could have been very dark, yet you make it rather sweet.
I like it.
Thanks! I had fun writing this one…How about you give it a try? 🙂
I will try to fit it in next week, but I already do two weekly Sound Bite Fiction pieces.
This is in the midst of a generally busy time, writing every day, going to the beach, and promoting my new book.
The invite is much appreciated.
I hope that you do. I have been reading your writing on other sites for a few years now. I would be honored if you joined in. Be well, and good luck promoting your new book. The title is? I need a new read.
I bet they’ll win the Prettiest Town Award with all those beautifully sculpted hedges! Too bad there’ll be no one around to receive it.
Great story!
Hee hee! I am glad that you enjoyed my story! Thanks again for contributing the opening lines. Perfect!
Excellent Barb, hmm….love that notion of the mysterious, the magic of what might be…..well done.
Thanks Michael! I had fun writing this one, and Ali sure came up with a great opening line.
Hmm? Too much caffeine possibly?
Maybe!
Nice one. He got literally rooted to the spot… 🙂
He did, but he chose to look at his hands and not his feet or he would have noticed…
Loved it! Reminds me of the Twilight Zone. Haha!
🙂 I did good then!
Yes! You did good!
😀 Thanks!
Ooh…. eerie and very good!!! Well done!!!
Thanks! I had fun writing this.
LOL! I’m going to be careful when I water my hedge today.
Watch it carefully and let me know if anything funny happens that you notice in the early morning!
You’re going to give me nightmares!!!!
Now, now Anneli…it is only fiction! 😀
That’s always what I tell myself when I wake up from a bad dream. It’s not true. It’s only a dream. But I still have the nightmares!
I am sorry that you have the nightmares….
Not too many recently.
Good to hear.