Puzzle

Flash Fiction Friday

Prompts for 5 September 2025 from

Scoot

• Write about celebrating a holiday

• crystalline crustacean

• “I can’t hear anything”

• A character who only tells the truth

Annie bit her lip in concentration as she connected the crystalline crustacean puzzle pieces together. She liked 3-D puzzles, even when they were hard. She could hear the voices of her parents as they washed and dried her great-grandmother's china after Easter brunch. She wished they could use it more than once a year, but her parents had their traditions: Grandma Nella's pink floral china for Easter, Mom and Dad's white and gold china for Thanksgiving, and the special Christmas china for the whole month of December.

The crustacean puzzle had been in her Easter basket. At ten, Annie thought she was too old for the basket; she knew about the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, and Santa Clause, after all. Her parents wanted to prolong her childhood as long as possible, and every time Annie tried to tell them that she was growing up, they started a routine that they thought was hilarious.

One would say,

"Did you say something? I can't hear anything."

To which the other replied,

" What's up? I can't hear anything!"

Annie rolled her eyes with disdainful amusement as they bantered back and forth. She finally gave up and decided to just let them enjoy their games. At least on Easter the candy was good. This puzzle was a good one, too. She had to be honest (as she always was), they chose this one well. Maybe she would just enjoy her parents' games, too, as long as they lasted.

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