Flash Fic, November 17, 2023

Inspired by real events

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

“What? What do you mean the kitchen’s got a leak?”

Jim heard the exasperated sigh in his mother’s answer.

“Just what I said. One of the pipes behind the stove burst and it’s ruined everything in the kitchen.”

He took a big sip of his coffee and glanced around the shuttle he was riding from San Francisco to Riverside. Most looked curiously at him except for the two sitting directly next to him. One gave him a disgruntled side-eye and the other arched a brow.

“Can’t you fix it?”

His mom laughed. “Can you?”

“Well…no.”

“Anyway, it’s all ripped up.”

“What’s ripped up?”

“The kitchen, honey.”

“The whole thing?”

“Uh huh. No walls, no appliances. Nothing.”

“Not even the stove to roast the turkey?”

“James Tiberius, are you not understanding?”

“Mom, I’m coming for Thanksgiving and you’re saying we have no way to have it?”

“Not at the farmhouse, no. Fortunately, Ray has agreed to have us there.”

His stomach sinking, Jim stuttered out, “Who is Ray?”

“I told you I was seeing someone. He lives very close and invited us there. Including Spock and Leonard. It’ll be fine. See you soon.”

“Mom—”

“You might pick up some instant coffee on the way here.”

“What? No coffee?”

“No coffeemaker, Jim. I know, I know, it’s going to take a while to get used to this. Can’t wait to see you. And anyway isn’t that what holidays are all about?”

Jim sulked down into his chair.

“Problems?” Spock asked tonelessly.

“No kitchen. No Thanksgiving at Mom’s.”

Bones grumbled. “Should’ve gone to Georgia as I said.”

“You still can,” Jim snapped grumpily.

“Restaurant?” Spock asked, seemingly uncaring or unfazed by Jim’s distress.

“No. Ray’s.”

“Who the hell is Ray?” Bones demanded.

“Her boyfriend or something. He’s expecting us all over there.”

“What’s he going to cook?”

“How should I know?”

Spock reached over and took Jim’s hand, touching their palms and fingers together. Jim felt calmness flow through him.

“All will be well, T’hy’la. After all, aren’t we most thankful for each other?”

“I think I might throw up.”

Jim ignored him, leaned close to Spock, and kissed him.

“Yes, I am definitely thankful for you.”

Comments

12 responses to “Flash Fic, November 17, 2023”

  1. Kristbethke Avatar

    Very inspired. Heh. But oh the 3 of them make my heart happy and Spock definitely has the right sentiment. Though that only makes it marginally better. 🙂
    Excellent!

    Like

    1. ivansfanfiction Avatar
      ivansfanfiction

      I could not resist using my own experiences for a flash 😀

      Oh and because I have no kitchen and I am LAZY I ended up ordering a pumpkin cheesecake from Harry and David for one of the desserts for TG LOL 🦃

      Like

      1. Kristbethke Avatar

        Oooh. Harry and David FTW!

        I do it all the time, as you know. Lol. They DO say write what you know!

        Like

  2. Ashton Smith Avatar
    Ashton Smith

    *snort
    LOLOLOLOL
    It’s all fun and games till someone gets hurt- by not getting to enjoy all that traditional Thanksgiving cooking and eating!
    Well, at least you got the makings of a great little flash from all the past week.
    And how in the world did we go from miserably hot to Thanksgiving in practically the blink of an eye?
    Bones. What a hoot!!!

    Like

    1. Ashton Smith Avatar
      Ashton Smith

      “One gave him a disgruntled side-eye and the other arched a brow.”
      Oh, I forgot to say. I LOVE how in that one line we know EXACTLY who’s sitting by Jim.

      Like

      1. ivansfanfiction Avatar
        ivansfanfiction

        Thank you! The beauty of knowing the characters that’s for sure 🙂

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    2. ivansfanfiction Avatar
      ivansfanfiction

      Bones is definitely a hoot!
      I have no idea. It most assuredly sped up on us, right? Next year (if we make it lol) it’s later than this year, but still. SMH
      Crazy!

      Like

      1. Ashton Smith Avatar
        Ashton Smith

        I have to admit I like it later.
        But perhaps people who do black Friday shopping like it earlier.
        One thing I like a lot – I mean, black Friday is called “Friday” for a reason, right?
        Here, the TV ads are full of “We’re starting black Friday prices now!”
        So……Americans are weird. Call it black November! Or black DAYS. But then, we start Christmas season the day after Halloween now. And Christmas decorations come out for sale the day after Labor Day.
        Yep. We’re weird.

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      2. ivansfanfiction Avatar
        ivansfanfiction

        Yes indeed!
        I remember one year. maybe 5 years ago I went to one of the decor stores thinking I could get Thanksgiving towels or something like that. It was early October so they should be out still right? I mean it wasn’t even Halloween yet. To my surprise, there was no fall at all. Halloween and fall and Thanksgiving gone. They had Christmas out. I love Christmas as much as anyone in the world but I was extremely disappointed

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  3. eveningstar10 Avatar

    Well talk about art imitating life!!! I’m sorry you had to experience this situation, but I’m glad you channeled it into a flash. 💕
    Yes, I too knew instantly who was traveling with Jim aboard that shuttle. Spock has it right though. “After all, aren’t we most thankful for each other?”
    Love this! (One small Typo- you left the f off ((not cursing here. Lol!)) of for in that sentence.)

    Yes, they do weirdly hurry seasons. Even at the end of summer, it’s next to impossible to find a bathing suit. Gotta anticipate in advance what you’ll need… I am more of a last-minute shopper!

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    1. ivansfanfiction Avatar
      ivansfanfiction

      oops thanks

      Like

    2. Ashton Smith Avatar
      Ashton Smith

      Exactly. So much for anticipating end of season sales! They’re a thing of the past, I guess.

      Like