36 Comments
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Feasts and Fables's avatar

Waiting for a train is probably THE best time to read this. I may start strolling to the platform soon!! Nicely done, Sharron.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, kid. Are you traveling? Can I come, too?

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

Ha, yep. I’ve done the lovely France bit. Now London to Shrewsbury to see my mum. This train is round the houses!

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Red eye flights are the worst.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I missed a few, I have to admit. I used to fly out and back at least once a week during my career. I can't imagine doing it now...

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Mark Starlin's avatar

I worked for the airlines for 27 years. I've done a lot of flying. It used to be fun before 911. Now, it is something I dread.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

Mercy! Dr. Saxlove is bookmarked for a later long languid knitting session. Thank you. And also, I enjoyed your story. That plunge at the end when the gate is closed off to all chances. And that photo! Unsplash strikes again with a very appropriate image. In fact, did you get the image first, then write the story? It's perfect.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Image first. It was a prompt for my little writing group here in town. I hope everyone gets the red-eye reference...

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

I did. And it sounds miserable.

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Oh gosh! Such a great story - it's left me really unsettled! #jobdone

Super writing, as always, Sharron!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I remember well the desperate feeling of having missed the red-eye flights. I spent so much time in airports in my career. So glad that stage of my life is over. I LOVED the work, but all the running around got very tiresome.

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Jill CampbellMason's avatar

Red eyes for this one. Unknowns are slow , yet surprisingly quick, to bring sucg heart poundings.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, Jill.

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Joan Spilman's avatar

You nailed it!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Joan. You sound like a woman who may have missed a few flights yourself.

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Joan Spilman's avatar

One in particular. A commuter. I rode on the baggage cart

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Ha ha ha!

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Kate Henry's avatar

Set your alarm clock for earlier to start. It sounds as if this is not the first time the arrival was late. Check departure time. Reverse distances and times to begin. I HATE being late. First time was in freshman year highschool. Got to class a minute late. Empty. No note nothing. Just everyone gone. Toooo annoying. Found them later in the assembly hall. No apology for moving the class. No apology for no note. Since then, I'm deliberately early everywhere even if I have to sit in the car for 20 minutes. If I'm late call the coroner.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Good advice, as always, Kate. The older we get, the wiser we become. Isn't that the way it goes? Er... maybe not in my case. The older I get, the more I nap.

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Kate Henry's avatar

Nap is RECHARGE for all the intense brainwork we do between them. Best inventers took multiple naps and worked around the clock. This is why we are also AWAKE at 3 and 4 AM. Those are the bonus hours after the brain has cleared with sleep. DO the stuff that you'd try to write down when you are half asleep. Pay a bill on line, switch the laundry, vacuum, dust something. This is how Ulrike writes so many DETAILED technical books and diagrams the impossible thread things. I've never seen her nap. I know she knits through the night..... probably equivalent of brain-clear. No apology for naps )))

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Janice Walton's avatar

Now what will I do?

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Yes. Good question. Not many options in a late night airport...

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Sharon Hudson's avatar

Wow, Sharron! I was expecting a sci-fi/horror story, with the way this opened. Right up to the “howl”, I was expecting some god-awful creature, following close behind. I’ll bet it feels about this terrible to miss your red-eye! Perfect image from Unsplash too!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, sweetheart. I thought I would go for a little twist this time. ha ha ha

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Yael Gelardin's avatar

So the red-eye missed! At least there is soothing jazz to listen to!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

At least. I love that entire track. I’m glad I ended up with the blues reflecting the missed flight.

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C J O'Hare's avatar

Really like the 2nd person POV Sharron - this one reminded me one of those 'choose-your-own-adventure' books I used to read when I was a kid (mixed with some good old middle-aged travel anxiety!)

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Oh, yes. I do see the parallel. Thanks!

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K.C. Knouse's avatar

I too thought the main character was running from some beast or supernatural creature. Then the howl. I thought that was the end. Nice setup for the twist at the end,

Sharron. Lots of fun.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Super! Glad you liked it, KC.

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Alois Ackerman's avatar

I got stoned and I missed it.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

ha ha ha ha!

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James Ron's avatar

This is like a recuring dream/nightmare I used to have. Good one, Sharron!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Sorry to hear that, Ron! Thanks for always commenting on my stories. I really appreciate it.

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Nathan Slake's avatar

So impressive from just 100 words, Sharron. Dripping with atmosphere.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

THANKS, NATHAN, FOR READING OVER HERE AT LEAVES!

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