Written for The Unicorn Challenge where we are asked
to get creative in 250 words or less using the photo
below as inspiration. This is my 4th story about Harvey
and Fiona; for my previous stories, please click here.
Early each morning on her way to work, Fiona passed the busy bakery in the heart of town. She loved the shamrock-green storefront and the delicious aroma of baked goods, and imagined herself working there.
Maneuvering the heavy pressing machines at her job took its toll on Fiona; she was exhausted and complained of backaches. Harvey barked that she better toughen up because no way was she quitting that job. And for the first time, he slapped her.
On Sunday morning Fiona asked Harvey to bring down the mixing bowl from the top shelf in the kitchen so she could make an apple pie. Grousing, but inwardly delighting at the prospect of dessert, Harvey took a long swig of his beer and got the stepladder out of the closet. As he started to climb, Fiona managed to hoist a five pound sack of apples, grimacing at the awful pain in her back, and bashed Harvey as hard as she could on the back of his head. He fell backwards onto the kitchen floor, vacant eyes staring at the ceiling. He would never slap her again.
Fiona tore open the sack of apples, dumped them into the colander on the counter and shoved the empty sack into the trash. She looked at Harvey’s dead body; blood had pooled under his head and she felt sick to her stomach. Fiona vomited in the sink, then washed her face and hands; she lifted the receiver of the wall phone and called the police.
NAR©2024
250 Words
This is “Push Comes To Shove” by Van Halen.
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
Normally, I don’t condone murder but for Fiona, I might have to make an exception. I’m glad that she didn’t stick around, hoping and waiting for him to change. It’s really hard to break free from that chain of trauma. This reminded me of Roald Dahl’s short story Lamb to the Slaughter. Beautifully written, Nancy.
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Thank you kindly, Shweta. I will happily be compared to a Roald Dahl story any time. I’m glad to know you’re enjoying this little series.
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You’re most welcome, Nancy 🤗
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It’s good to see that Fiona stood up for herself. A beautiful write, Nancy!
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Alas, I am not condoning murder but in this case Fiona did what was necessary; Harvey would have eventually destroyed will to live. Thank you for your very kind comments, KK.
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You’re welcome! I think taking life of someone in order to save one’s own life is justified.
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Just read all 4 which I’d missed. But gosh, this is really good. I liked the way this started – it was lovely and gay, but then it got less pleasant and now… he’s dead… oops.
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Well, he sorta deserved it. He would have killed her or, at the very least, her spirit.
Thank you, Chris, for reading the other parts of the story. I have a proper ending in mind; hoping a fitting prompt presents itself.
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An apple a day?
nah…too flip
Bag ’em and tag ’em
no! just silly
he deserved it… being rotten to the core and all
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He was a pig; she should have crammed an apple into his mouth and called it poetic justice.
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Oh wow, your writing, as a collection, allows us to experience a wide range of emotions. You’re so talented, writer Nancy.
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Thank you, Michele! As a writer yourself, you can well imagine how much I appreciate your very gracious comments. I’m glad you had a chance to read the story in its entirety. Mille grazie, cara mia! ♡
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Yes, indeed. ✍🏻 Sei la benvenuta cara Nancy. ♡
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Good for her, and eating the murder weapon is inspired.
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Thanks, Di! I still have a proper ending for this story; I’m waiting for the right time or the right prompt to post it.
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Murder by apples, how very Vermont!
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That’s right! Now don’t go getting any ideas! 🍎
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The husband is lucky, my bowls are all within my reach…
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Good for Fiona …. Perhaps she should of ran an ambulance?? 💜💜 Loved it
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Thanks Willow! I’m not sure if I’m quite done with Fiona yet. Time will tell!
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The Grateful Dead recorded a song with this title.
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Thanks, Jim! I knew you’d come up with this version!
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You are welcome and I hope you enjoyed it. It can be very dangerous being up on a ladder especially if someone is behind you swinging a five pound sack of apples.
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Very dangerous; 20% of all accidents in the home happen in the kitchen …. and that’s not counting the fires!
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Yay Fiona! She stood up for herself, good for her! Xo
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Everyone has their breaking point, CA. This was hers.
Thanks so much!
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Goodbye, Harvey.
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A girl can take just so much. Thanks, Melissa.
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Wow! And then he was gone!
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Sometimes a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.
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That’s definitely one way to prevent him slapping her a second time.
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Sometimes it’s the only way. Thanks, Iris.
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Prevention is better than cure, right?
Nicely set up and delivered, Nancy.
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Thanks, Jenne.
In this case, yes. I don’t think there’s a bandage big enough for the wounds inflicted by Harvey. It was time for him to go.
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Rough justice in the kitchen, Nancy!
That’ll larn him!
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Approximately 20% of all home accidents happen in the kitchen.
Let’s call this just desserts and leave it at that, shall we?
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