I was inspired by Bojana to attempt to write a bit of flash fiction. Here goes. Please let me know what you think … is it flash fiction?
We left Aragorn’s head with the Mennonites … At least that’s the last place I remember seeing it, resting on the driver’s seat of the Volvo, staring blankly at the neatly arranged tools hanging on the wall of the barn that served as the mechanic’s garage. The car had been bumped and bruised quite a bit in the rollover but its barely-held-together-by-rubber-bands (as we joked) engine was probably okay, saved by a sturdy bonnet, as the man said. And so “they” would take it in lieu of ambulance fees and I believe 500 dollars which would help us get home. But that was a matter between C’s parents and the Mennonites. I just grabbed what I could as they negotiated—my guitar for sure and some clothes (those not splashed by gasoline.) C grabbed her Martin and the shift knob, which had been carved of Swedish birch, and we said a tearful goodbye to Frodo. We hated to leave him, our trusty steed, but C was four months pregnant and so we had to return to Reno from the cornfields of Indiana. I’m sure she kept the shift knob with her in a sacred place which, after that trip, she never shared with me.
Saying nothing in particular 
That head is the best thing I’ve seen all day. Beating out the jacaranda flowers and galloping cats chasing butterflies. I mean it’s awesome! Are we talking Tolkien here, as in Aragorn Ranger of the North? I feel half-dead today, but brilliant. I’m like one of those zombies that plays chess. I’m melting, melting… Duke
Half dead is the only way to live! Yup – C and I and K dragged a sculpted head across country in a dilapidated Volvo that was a trip to drive . It survived the rollover that nearly killed K. The head in this post is one of my favorites although one of his wing ears got knocked off in an earthquake and had to be glued back on! We thought we were hobbits.
But wait … what about your writing? Hold on … well anything with Mennonites is a hard sell for me, even though I worked with perhaps the greatest Mennonite to ever live in the mountains of Honduras. His name was Wilber. So that’s a plus for you despite my rabid atheism. About C, well I certainly respect her and the state you two found yourself in. Indiana and Mennonites? Rough sledding. C., saved the story. Did you two walk for miles? I imagine so. As flash fiction, I have to fill in the story. You walked until sunset and decided to bed down in a cornfield with the rabbits and spirits. You built a fire and invited the critters to come closer. A miniature horse wandered over and lied down to sleep. Dreams were had and you and C. grew closer. I see other things in your writing, but as usual I’ve changed the normal give and take of your blog. It must get old for you. Duke
Never gets old. The Mennonites found us in their field and took us to the hospital in the back of some old beat up truck – ambulance service aka the Mennonites!
The Flat on My Back Chronicles
I’ve always felt that books and art in general have shaped our lives. We are alike in that respect. I’d like to think so anyway. The day filled with choices … what would Atticus do? Can I live in a perpetual Patch of Blue? (I’m one of the few people you know who read the book before the movie.) Can I be like Cool Hand Luke? Was I really like the Cincinnati Kid? Again, books before movies and they laid out a pattern of characteristics and thoughts that I immulated. My grandfather helped me do much in this respect. The inveterate gambler with one leg. Did I combine all of this vast number of works to help me walk across the killing fields? Did they protect me in some way? Did I really decide to be Martin Eden at 21? At this stage of my life, I think the answer is yes. Exodus towers in my mind, so does the Thin Red Line, A Separate Peace, all the Fear and Loathing and the philosophers and the bible and every poem you can imagine. I’m a product of words and experience and sudden feelings. I think you are similar, maybe you just don’t think exactly like me, but then, of course, you shouldn’t. Everyone is different and everybody has to be somewhere. Duke
I’m hoping you’ll be on your feet and walking Happy soon but these On Your Back monologues are great!
A most interesting statue, Jan, and an intriguing story. It reads like flash fiction to me – it is a complete story.
Thanks Robbie – I used to love to sculpt but my wrists started to give out.
Hi Jan sorry for the delay . Yes I liked that story but I would have liked a little more a sort of conclusion….it definitely reads as a flash fiction and you definitely got my attention as I would definitely like to know more!
How are you doing these days I hope you’re well 💜💜💜
Thanks for reading Willow – it was definitely an experiment. I’m doing fine – actually down in a little seaside village today and will try to get few pics to share.❤️
Enjoy your day pics would be lovely 💜
You did a great job, Jan. And I loooove how it ends.
Thanks Bojana!
❤️
I love it, and that head!
Yes, the head is a wonderful mystery in this flash fiction. Could be a book! It could still end with the secreted knob, or begin with it, or both.