Five Sentence Fiction #14 – AWKWARD

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week the hostess will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.                                                                                 

A spoon clatters to the ceramic-tiled kitchen floor, as two pairs of hands collide in a clumsy attempt to neaten dishevelled clothes and tuck errant wisps of tousled hair into place.

An interminable pause… filled only with the jarring sound of the clock, on guard above the microwave oven, which seems to tick even louder.

You wish you were anywhere else but staring at your sister in flagrante delicto – with your cousin's fiance!

A tiny spark of an idea flares, hidden behind a glaring and tight-lipped disapproval. 

It would be foolish to ignore the perfect opportunity to turn a potentially volatile situation into a lucrative deal – and take Miss Sanctimonius down – once and for all!

43 Comments

  1. Wayne Assiratti on September 15, 2012 at 3:26 pm

    Love it! Great fun read. In Flagante Delicto is just not used enough as far as I am concerned…

    • michelle on September 16, 2012 at 11:05 am

      Well, it's probably not used enough because the phrase deals with a sensitive issue… 🙂

  2. Ryan Derham on September 15, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    Great set up for the scene which you really bring to life. The opening sentence’s hints of something going on, leading to a scandalous picture of what’s taking place, make for a fun read. Well done, M!

    • michelle on September 16, 2012 at 11:06 am

      Yes, scandalous and awkward… but then turned around to benefit the spectator! LOL.

  3. Alex J. Cavanaugh on September 15, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    Where's a camera where you need it? She'd be so busted.

    • michelle on September 16, 2012 at 11:07 am

      That's a great idea… a camera to capture the "Kodak" moment. LOL.

    • michelle on September 16, 2012 at 11:07 am

      Thanks Ann. 🙂

  4. Sherry Ellis on September 16, 2012 at 1:53 am

    I love the setup here.  It was completely unexpected!

    • michelle on September 16, 2012 at 11:09 am

      Nothing better than the unexpected, guaranteed to stir up some deliciously wicked "payback" fun……

  5. Madeleine on September 16, 2012 at 10:36 am

    Great scene described here, full of action and expectation.

    • michelle on September 16, 2012 at 11:10 am

      Thanks Madeleine. Action… expectation… and then the reader is left to use her imagination! 🙂

  6. Sarah Mac on September 16, 2012 at 10:45 am

    She is SO busted.  Great story!

    • michelle on September 16, 2012 at 11:11 am

      Yep! Caught in the act! No way to bluff yourself out of this one… thanks for the visit Sarah.

  7. tara tyler on September 16, 2012 at 12:14 pm

    excellent scene of naughtiness! they always get caught! nice job!

    • michelle on September 16, 2012 at 12:48 pm

      There's two types of naughtiness… there's is the not-so-nice-type… 🙂

  8. jabblog uk. on September 16, 2012 at 12:38 pm

    Superb! I  must remember 'in flagrante delicto' – I've only used the shorter form before. Miss Sanctimonius in the kitchen should have taken more care . . . 😉

  9. michelle on September 16, 2012 at 12:49 pm

    Probably thought that she'd never be found out… LOL…

  10. Lisa Shambrook on September 16, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    Ha ha, you say so much in this short piece, we not only know what's been going on, but we are now well aware of the sibling rivalry and much of their sisterly relationship! Would love to know how she's going to dish out her payback! 

    • michelle on September 17, 2012 at 4:49 am

      All I can say is… revenge is sweet! 🙂

  11. Elise Fallson on September 16, 2012 at 7:22 pm

    In French we spell it "flagrant délire", very similar and a nice touch in your piece.  
    You also have me wondering what the 'spark of an idea' could be. The possibilities are endless….mhahahahah!   <==evil laugh*
    Love your flash fic Mich, you're so good at these and this one is nicely executed as usual. (:  

    • michelle on September 17, 2012 at 4:51 am

      Thanks Elise! I tried to think of something different… then I remembered this phrase and thought that it would fit nicely into the piece! 🙂

  12. L. Diane Wolfe on September 16, 2012 at 8:46 pm

    Oh that is awkward!

    • michelle on September 17, 2012 at 4:52 am

      Awkward… and a whole bunch of other things as well… 🙂

  13. J.L. Campbell on September 16, 2012 at 10:17 pm

    Oh boy, I'm almost sorry for poor Miss Sanctimonious, who's fallen far off the waggon. Good one, Michelle.

    • michelle on September 17, 2012 at 4:57 am

      Ha! Her downfall becomes someone else'e benefit! 🙂

  14. Nas on September 16, 2012 at 11:01 pm

    Loved reading it! So naughty!

  15. michelle on September 17, 2012 at 4:58 am

    Thanks Nas!

  16. Medeia Sharif on September 17, 2012 at 5:14 am

    Awkward, but lucrative. This story sounds like it'll twist and turn in interesting ways.

    • michelle on September 17, 2012 at 6:27 pm

      Yes, it does have the potential to be full of surprises and twists… thanks Medeia.

  17. Mike Jackson on September 17, 2012 at 8:48 am

    A lovely piece of writing.
    Nothing like turning an awkward moment around so that it favours you.
    I think Miss Sanctimonius is in for a hard time.

    • michelle on September 17, 2012 at 6:31 pm

      When opportunity comes knocking… you've got to recognise it and seize the moment… thanks Mike.

  18. Sandra Crook on September 17, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    Take the breaks as they arrive, I say.  Great vindictive take on the prompt.

    • michelle on September 17, 2012 at 6:33 pm

      When the break arrives, take it, because you never know if another is coming your way in a hurry… 🙂

  19. Andy Black on September 17, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    Ahhh… the warfare of siblings.  And what perfect amunition…

    • michelle on September 17, 2012 at 6:35 pm

      Sibling rivalry… but it's about to get REAL nasty! 🙂

  20. JazzBumpa on September 17, 2012 at 6:31 pm

    Ahhhh – sisterly love.
    So to speak.
    Cheers!
    JzB
     
     

    • JazzBumpa on September 17, 2012 at 6:32 pm

      I see somebody beat me to the "Ahhh."
      Darn!
      JzB

    • michelle on September 17, 2012 at 6:35 pm

      "So to speak" LOL!

  21. Kate on September 18, 2012 at 9:18 am

    i have only one sister and am wondering if I could be as vindictive – possibly not, but I thinks thats a good thing! 🙂 Loved this and am curious to know what the sister has done.

    • michelle on September 20, 2012 at 8:24 pm

      You and your sister obviously enjoy a mutually satisfying relationship… that's definitely a good thing! Vindictiveness between siblings is not nice… it's actually a sad situation. Thanks for popping in and leaving a comment!

  22. Lillie McFerrin on September 19, 2012 at 3:11 am

    Ah, have to love a good opportunist 🙂 Great take on the prompt!!

    • michelle on September 20, 2012 at 8:24 pm

      Opportunity came knocking – and she seized it! 🙂

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