Flash Fiction - Romance Writers Weekly #lovewritechat

Fiona Riplee is the instigator for this week’s blog. Her challenge:

Write a Flash Fiction that's 500 words or less with the following items: an empty parking lot, an abandoned SUV & a chihuahua sitting in the driver's seat.

What did you think of Leslie Hachtel's contribution? I’d love to hear what you think of mine. I might have cheated a bit (it's longer than 500 words) but I got on a roll.  Be sure to leave a comment!

Naomi hated dogs. She knew that made her a bad, bad person in the eyes of many people, but it was the truth. She didn’t mind puppies, in the way she didn’t mind babies – to admire from a far, with a bone deep gladness they weren’t her responsibility. And a well-trained, quiet dog walking with its owner on a leash – she could handle that kind of dog, too.


So maybe hate was too strong a word.

But that was before she looked in her SUV, saw the keys dangling from the ignition, and Princess standing, back feet on the driver’s seat, front foot on the all-lock button in the arm rest. She even heard the damn click as all four doors clamped down.

“No!” Naomi stared in horror as the pampered Chihuahua, rhinestone collar sparkling, raced around the interior of the SUV, barking at a teeth-grindingly high pitch. Maybe the shriek would shatter the glass of the windows. At least then she’d be able to get in the vehicle and get home.

Slinging the plastic bag full of puppy paraphernalia onto the pavement, she searched through her purse. “Come on, be there, be there,” she muttered, knowing her prayer was wasted. She’d given her spare set of keys to her sister only the day before, when she’d borrowed the car to visit their step-mother, Winona. And Darlene hadn’t returned them when she’d returned the vehicle – less half a tank of gas but plus a yapping, spoiled, shoe-box sized Chihuahua – this morning.

“I couldn’t leave her alone,” Darlene had said while Naomi sputtered, speechless at the sight of Princess. “With Mom in the hospital, she had no one to take care of her.”

“What do you mean, no one?” Naomi finally found her voice. “What about Mrs. Hall? Or Carlos?” The housekeeper and gardener at her step-mother’s estate weren’t any fonder of Princess than Naomi, but they were paid to take care of Winona’s possessions, weren’t they? “What about you?”

“I stayed at the estate last night to keep her company,” Darlene had said, blue eyes soulful as she’d cuddled the conniving canine against her cheek. “But my apartment doesn’t allow dogs. Otherwise you know I would take her in an instant.”

Naomi knew no such thing. Darlene was always willing to help others, as long as it didn’t inconvenience herself.

Princess had stopped her frantic circuit of the SUV and now goggled at Naomi with bulging, distrustful eyes through the driver’s window.

“What the hell am I doing to do?” She scanned the practically deserted parking lot. While Darlene had brought the dog, she’d neglected to bring any of the other necessities, such as food, dishes, a bed or a leash. Naomi might deeply dislike the creature, but that didn’t mean she was going to let the thing starve. And if walking it meant it would sleep better, she was all for long, long, long walks, multiple times a day.

Fully aware of the pint-sized pup’s destructive powers if left alone, Naomi had brought her with her on the run the pet store. This early on a Saturday morning, there were few customers, and she’d been in an out in an instant.

But not quick enough to stop the beast from its evil plan to make the day even worse.

Naomi circled the car, lifting each handle with the faint hope that one of them might give her access. None did. She briefly considered abandoning the SUV, dog and all. Her favourite spa was only a couple blocks away. She could get a massage, a facial – forget about the responsibilities piling up on her. Princess was just one in a long list of duties she could no longer ignore. An hour or two for herself, that’s all she needed.

Who was she fooling? Certainly not herself.

She’d have to call Darlene, hope she could somehow get the spare set of keys to her quickly. She didn’t have her own vehicle, of course – hence the borrowing of Naomi’s – but maybe one of her many boyfriends could deliver them. 

“Lock yourself out?” A deep, dark and delicious voice came from behind.

She started and spun around, certain her ears were fooling her. But her eyes told her the same disconcerting truth.

What the hell was her ex-husband doing here?

Now it’s on to Veronica Forand to see what she’s come up with. Have fun!