Holiday Stories and Poems

Home For the Holidays: Flash Fiction

"This Christmas we'll just relax," said my mother.


The following is a piece that was required to be 200 words or less. This story is exactly 200.

Home for the Holidays

“Yes, Mom. I’ll drive up for Christmas.”

“Good, you need time to relax. You work too hard."

“A little rest sounds great, Mom.”

Four hundred miles later, having become intimately familiar with the back bumpers of several dozen cars, I pulled into my mom’s driveway. She walked out -- her cane, which she uses only when she wants something, tapping the ground like a blind person’s.

“You’re finally here,” Mom said, her eyes brighter than Christmas. “Just in time for the grocery store. Can we stop at the post office, too?”

She was leaning on the cane like she really needed it. I nodded, stretched my back, tried not to feel guilty for wishing I could just unwind.

~~~

The three days of my vacation rushed by. I decorated the tree, took it down, installed several appliances, fixed the computer, and balanced Mom's checkbook. Then, time to return home, I loaded up the car and drove the same four hundred miles -- bumper to bumper.

I called the moment I arrived home.

“You home already?" Mom said. “Aren’t you glad you took some time off to have a good rest?”

“Sure am. Thanks, Mom. Love you,” I said, chuckling softly.


(200 words)

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