Hey, everyone. Over the past few weeks, I’ve read several amazing flash fiction stories prompted by Suzanne Burk’s weekly photo challenge. I decided to take part this week.
If you’d like to check out the challenge, visit Soooz’s blog by clicking here.
The clock was ticking. Only one week remained until Janie’s manuscript was due and she found herself staring at a blank computer screen. The pivotal moment, the last few chapters, eluded her like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. So close but just beyond her reach.
I’ll never finish this manuscript by the deadline. There isn’t enough time.
She rose from her writing desk then walked to the window. The falling snow made the yard and surrounding woods look magical. A true winter wonderland. A myriad of birds—finches, buntings, and cardinals—flocked to the feeders. They fluttered about, often fighting with one another. She watched—mesmerized by their movements.
Janie didn’t realize how long she had been there until her cell phone chimed to indicate a new text message.
Probably another reminder from my agent.
Choosing to ignore the message, she glanced at her watch. Fifteen minutes had passed since she first looked out the window. Fifteen wasted minutes.
Oh well, that’s not a lot of time.
She walked back to the computer to stare at the blank page again. Music always inspired her. Maybe it would help. Looking at her vast musical library, she came across the album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
The Beatles always lifted her spirits. Lots of good songs on this album. “With a Little Help from my Friends” was a favorite.
I can use all the help I can get now.
“Getting Better” was another cheerful tune.
Things can’t get worse, can they?
Then she saw it. “When I’m Sixty-Four.” Janie recalled seeing a video from the film, Yellow Submarine. Using cartoon illustrations, they stated how many minutes were in sixty-four years, then proceeded to count down the last minute of the song.
Janie immediately felt encouraged. One hour is sixty minutes. One day contains 1,440 minutes and a week is 10,080 minutes.
I can do this. One minute can be a very long time.
Joan Hall 
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