November 28, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the saying, “not my monkeys, not my circus”. What is the situation that would spawn that aphorism? Have fun with the setting and characters! Go where the prompt leads! Click here for details.
Christmas Present – by Hugh W. Roberts
Watching the happy couple unwrap their gifts bought so much joy and happiness. I love Christmas.
One last gift, but who’s the recipient?
“The tag says it’s for you; somebody from your past?” said Veronica.
“Me?” replied David.
He hesitated at first, but his face was a picture when he pulled out red fishnet stockings and suspenders.
The atmosphere changed before death arrived. But it would be the next Christmas before they joined me.
“Not my monkeys, not my circus,” I laughed as I walked out of their lives unnoticed.
Nobody cheated on me, the ghost of Christmas past.
Written for the 99-word flash fiction challenge hosted by Charli Mills at the Carrot Ranch.
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Enjoyed this piece of flash fiction? Then you’ll love ‘More Glimpses.’
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32 short stories and flash fiction pieces take the reader to the edge of their imagination.
More Glimpses
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Hugh's Views & News 
Fabulous short Hugh. This was a true Hugh Roberts Christmas telling! ❤
Thank you, Debby. Christmas still brings out the dark side of me.
Lol Hugh. 🙂
This certainly makes Dickens a more interesting read. Beats Little Dorrit by a country mile.
Thank you. I’ve never been compared to Dickens before. Now I need to find a top hat.
Great job on this prompt, Hugh, combining Christmas Carol lore with the “not my circus” theme! A chilling end awaits the couple!
Thanks so much, Terri. I had no idea what the phrase ‘Not my monkeys, not my circus’ meant. I’ve never heard it before and don’t know of anyone who used it. So I had to look it up and gave it a dark ending.
I chuckle at the phrase–it seems apt and even more so right after I retired!
Yes, the same for me when leaving my last job for the final time.
Sounds like getting revenge beyond the grave. Who would have thought Hugh would write something like that! 😂
I know, right? One of these days, I’m going to have to write a happy ending again, Norah.