The nice folks at Carrot Ranch issued a challenge: write a story about libraries using exactly 99 words. Of course I love libraries, so how could I resist? Here’s the result. Please let me know what you think.
Good Friends
Written by Kerry E.B. Black
Sarah shifted in the chair, making herself as comfortable as tight muscles allowed, and reached for the first stack of books. She struggled against rebelling arm and hand muscles to place colored price stickers on books donated to the library. She smiled remembering loved stories and favorite authors. When Sarah’s volunteering time ended, the librarian retrieved the stickered books. “Thank you, Sarah. These books will bring in some needed cash to keep this place running. Sorry no one else showed up to keep you company.” Sarah took in the surrounding titles. “Actually, I wasn’t alone. Good friends were here.”
Allusionary Assembly 
March 7, 2016 at 5:32 am
You’ve conveyed much in your 99 words — the dedication of the volunteer, the reality that few do so and libraries need funding, and that books are often dear friends. A beautiful flash!
March 9, 2016 at 2:51 am
Thank you so much!
March 9, 2016 at 11:45 am
Thanks, Kerry. I appreciated the effort involved in getting those stickers on the books. Well captured.
Hope you are having a great week!
xx Rowena
March 9, 2016 at 11:52 am
I hope you do as well.