Flash Fiction Friday Results : “Chicken Thief”

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*Goddess’s note: My daughter is on the verge of presenting me with my first grandchild, so I might seem a little scattered. I am a little scattered, heh! No labor yet, but all the signs are there. Yay!

At any rate, I’ll post the links to the participating stories for your reading pleasure, and update as they come in. For now, here is my humble offering. Enjoy, and please play along! I will post my recommendations for markets tomorrow, and of course, a new prompt on Friday. Please check back!

Chicken Thief

From the porch steps, Mandy Jo could see the edge of the horizon, stretching out beyond the tilled fields. She heaved a dramatic sigh, took a sip from her cold and tangy lemonade, and sighed again. The dirt from the homestead that had been in her family for generations coated her bare feet, peeking out from underneath the sundress that was threadbare and a size too small.

“For the love of heaven, Mandy Jo. What on earth is the matter with you?” Maybelle rocked in her chair and studied the young brunette staring so pensively into space. That Mandy Jo, always the drama queen, always the dreamer. Too good lookin’ for her own good. “I know you ain’t pinin’ for nobody, you ain’t had a date in a coon’s age. And I know you can’t be pinin’ for that dumb hillbilly.” Maybelle folded her sweating hands into her lap.

“Shut up, Maybelle. Shows what you know.” Mandy Jo took a few minutes from her pensive state to glare at her older sister. “You don’t know everythang. You think you know everythang. You don’t know nothin’.” She tossed her chestnut hair over one shoulder. “He promised. And that was after he knew.” She ran her hands over her swelling belly. “He’ll be back. He promised.”

“Well, I know enough to know when you’re bein’ stupid.” Maybelle snorted. “He ain’t comin’ back for you, Billy Bob done took off and he ain’t comin’ back. Good thang, too. Daddy was ready to shoot him for the chicken-thievin’ white trash he is.”

Mandy Jo stood up on the top step of the porch. “You shush your mouth, Maybelle Mary Adams. Always flappin’ at the lips, you are, and nothin’ comes out but meanness. You’re jest jealous on account he liked me better’n you. And he never stole no chickens.”

Maybelle flushed red. “Jest like you to throw that in my face. Well, for your information, Miss I’m All That, I wouldn’t have Billy Bob if’n he had all his teeth and a truck. And he don’t have neither.”

Mandy Jo placed her glass on the wrought iron side-table, and gathering her dignity, said, “There’s more to a man than teeth and a truck, Maybelle. Maybe if’n you knew that, you wouldn’t be so mean and lonely.” She turned and waddled down the porch steps and out to the barn.

Maybelle watched her go, heart thrumming. She wished Mandy Jo wouldn’t go out to the barn. She might notice the dirt dug up near the north wall and get curious. Maybe she should tell Daddy to put the chicken pen there.

Maybelle smiled.

~end~

Well, you can tell I’m out of practice, but honestly, that was a lot of fun. Now, go check out the other (and much better!) stories:

From The Porch by Reenie

Southern Gals by Artie

Tags: flash fiction, results, southern girls