Blizzards Of The Mind

September 16, 2021, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a Big Black Horse. It can be a horse, a metaphor or an interpretation of KT Tunstall’s “Big Black Horse and a Cherry Tree.” Go where the prompt leads!


Blizzards Of The Mind – by Hugh W. Roberts

“Do you remember the day we first met?”

“Why do you ask?”

“No reason. I’m curious.”

Adrian watched Richard go into deep thought.

“Did it involve a big, black horse?”

“It did, yes!”

You were riding it through a snow-covered field during a blizzard one Christmas. You and that horse stood out so much,” laughed Richard.

Smiling to himself, Adrian closed his eyes and recalled their first meeting. On Brighton beach, he watched Richard riding a big, black horse on the carousel one summer.

The early stages of Alzheimer’s were causing another blizzard in the mind of his husband.

***

Richard and Adrian first appeared in Edge Of Summer – another piece of flash fiction written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge.

Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch. Click here to join in.

***

Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love Glimpses

Glimpses

28 short stories and pieces of flash fiction take the reader on a rollercoaster of twists and turns.

Available on Amazon

Paperback – £4.99

Kindle – £0.99

***

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31 responses to “Blizzards Of The Mind”

  1. Across the Water « Carrot Ranch Literary Community avatar

    […] we promised we’d come to Brighton beach, ride the carousel and look out across the water on this date every year. Why wouldn’t we come this […]

  2. Sardines – Hugh's Views & News   avatar

    […] “Keep your eyes closed, and he won’t see us,” whispered Richard. […]

  3. A Matter Of Life And Death – Hugh's Views & News   avatar

    […] we promised we’d come to Brighton beach, ride the carousel and look out across the water on this date every year. Why wouldn’t we come this […]

  4. dgkaye avatar

    True love. A warm and compassionate story Hugh <3

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      Thanks, Debby. Glad you enjoyed it.

  5. Norah avatar

    Like so much in life, there is joy and there is sadness, light and shadow. It is good to find the light when possible. I like that the horse was on a carousel.

    1. Hugh W. Roberts avatar

      The light moments are good, Norah. Even though my mother had dementia, even she laughed at some of the things she came out with during the early years of knowing she had the condition. The heartbreak came more towards the end as she faded away.
      When I read the prompt, the image of a horse on a carousel came to me, and I knew it was time to bring back Adrian and Richard.

      1. Norah avatar

        You did well to combine them all, Hugh.

  6. A Big Black Horse « Carrot Ranch Literary Community avatar

    […] Blizzards Of The Mind by Hugh W. Roberts […]

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