Charli Mills opened her March 16th 2016 Flash Fiction Challenge with the following introduction,
“Today is a cake kind of day. Go on, grab a fork and savor a bite. Settle in for a story.”
And what a delicious story it was!
This week the Congress of Writers is celebrating the 99th Flash Fiction Challenge of writing 99 word short stories. My journey started last May. I was following Charli on social media and each week I found myself at her site, reading the amazing short stories she’d compiled in a post. Her weekly challenges invited anyone to join and give it a try. One day I did – and I created my first flash ever, titled, “United with a Song”.
I confess what has kept me going is the genuine warmth and encouragement of this group. So, today, on this special occasion, I come with my own chocolate cake. I used Granny’s special ingredient so I do hope you stop, chat and enjoy a slice with me.
P.S. This week’s prompt was to write a story in 99 words (no more, no less) about the idea of “just one”.
***
Carrie plopped herself onto the chair beside her grandmother, flung her arms onto the table and buried her face.
“It’s a failure, Granny!” she cried.
“What is?”
“The chocolate cake recipe you gave me.”
“Why’d you say that?”
“’Cause I made the stupid cake last night and no one raved about it. They do when they eat yours!”
Granny stifled a smile and kindly said instead, “Tell me what happened.”
Carrie sobbed out her story and when she finished, Granny spoke softly.
“Carrie, there’s just one magical ingredient that transforms all baking into masterpieces. It’s when you add love.”
Eloquently Kate 
Lovely, Kate. I really enjoyed your story. I had thought they must have all been humoring Granny, telling her how nice her cake was. They need to tell Carrie how wonderful her cake is too, so that she can put more love in, and get more love out each time. Your chocolate cake looks delicious! I’m taking in calories as I sit. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m so glad you dropped in for a slice of the cake! Hehe…. your hips are safe, I made it ‘specially with zero calories! The right kind and level of encouragement and support from others for what we do is so important! It makes us try again, try to to do better. Sometimes, we need someone to show us the way. I know if I were Granny, I’d invite Carrie to a baking party where they could bake the cake together. I think that would be fun! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be fun indeed! It is nice to have someone to do these things with – especially somebody special. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is a “genuine warmth and encouragement” isn’t there? 💕 Scrumptious chocolate cake! And your flash is as sweet at the cake. 🍰
LikeLiked by 1 person
There certainly is Sarah… and you send genuine warmth and encouragement my way so often – I really appreciate it! Glad you liked the cake. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful slice of cake! Love is that important ingredient, and one I feel so keenly when preparing for a visit from my kids, or when preparing for the ranch visitors! I’m so glad you decided to write with us at Carrot Ranch!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Charli! You show that love every week through all the work you do in hosting the flash fiction challenges. You are amazing! I’m glad we met… I would surely not have even considered fiction, if it weren’t for these flashes.
LikeLike
Wonderful flash for the challenge! Conveys the misery of the child and imparts a valuable lesson – love is the key ingredient in all that is good and great. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for dropping in and sharing some of the cake.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d love a slice please.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sending you a great big slice now! Thanks David. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person