Cursed

Our gracious host, Rochelle, is asking us to get
creative in 100 words or less using the photo
seen below. Welcome to Friday Fictioneers.
This is where the prompt took me.

Marcia unwrapped the Christmas gift. “Oh,” she said. The keys. The chains. The flowers. “It’s… its…”

“Hideous,” offered Phil.

The in-laws meant well… always did.

For almost a year it lived behind the water heater. Then the Richardsons bought the Victorian on Elm Street.

“Perfect housewarming gift,” Marcia whispered, rewrapping it lovingly.

The Richardsons passed it to the Simons. The Simons, without hesitation, gave it to the Quigleys. The Quigleys practically ran it to the Delgados.

Fourteen special occasions. Fourteen identical expressions of barely concealed horror.

No one ever hung the chandelier.

Everyone kept the gift receipt… just in case.

NAR©2026
100 Words

This is “Keep Your Cheap-Ass Christmas Gift Because I Don’t Need It” by Mavis Jackson

24 April 2026

^{Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.}