Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Susanna Leonard Hill's The 5th Annual Holiday Contest!!!!

I'm at it again, trying to write a short story for Susanna Leonard Hill's 5th Annual Holiday Contest. The rules this time are 350 words max and the story must begin with a line in the vein of, "Rocking around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop." Without further adieu, I present for your consideration, "Last Minute at the Mall"

Gregory E Bray

Last Minute at the Mall (133 words)


Walking around the mall
at five thirty
on a chilly Christmas Eve.


Looking for the perfect gift
For my mommy
On a budget of three.


The store shelves are bare
Items strewn everywhere
I fear mommy will get no gift from me.


But what do I see
The perfect gift for her from me
And exactly three.


I go up to pay
The cashier says, “That’ll be three twenty three”
A feeling of dread comes over me.


I forgot about tax.
My perfect gift gone in a flash,
As I stand slackjawed feeling glumly.


“Your tax is on me.”
The clerk said with much glee
And handed the gift to a smiling me.


As I turned to walk away
The cashier and I said in harmony,
“Merry Christmas to you and your family!”

24 comments:

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    1. Thanks. This was harder to do than I expected. =)

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  2. What a kind clerk :) Merry Christmas, and good luck!

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    1. Thank you Christie. Good luck to you as well. Great Elf on the Shelf story. =)

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  3. How sweet. Cute story

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    1. Thank you Cynthia. I've been catching up with all the other submissions and am blown away by them. Everyone has done an amazing job. Lot's of creativity.

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  5. Sweet story! I love when someone steps in to help with small change at the checkout.

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    1. Thank you Lisa. I had a guy pay for all our groceries as the stores credit card machines were down and I had no cash. I think he felt bad for me holding my then year old son who wouldn't stay still. =)

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  6. I love the expression of the Christmas spirit in your story. Well done!

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  7. Hi Gregory,sweet ending. And a very Merry Christmas to you, too!

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  8. A sweet gesture. I love this time of year! Brings out the best in us.

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  9. This brought back memories of working the jewelry counter on Christmas Eve. It's nice to be at home, but nice to help everyone find the perfect gift, too.

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    1. I worked at Toys R Us. So it was loosely based on my experience there.

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  10. Sweet story, filled with Christmas spirit and cheer!

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  11. How sweet, Gregory! Isn't it nice how people embrace the holiday spirit and do nice things for each other? I'm glad the perfect present worked out! Happy Holidays and thanks so much for joining in the contest fun!

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  12. I'm smiling, great ditty of a story!!! Cheers and Happy Holidays!

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