Best of Flash Fiction, December 2011

Life in chunks. Not the way we all see it all the time, but if you consider the structure of this piece with Elizabeth Kübler-Ross in mind, you may. Though the overall theme may seem bleak, there is a peacefulness to it. A mango-colored calm.
Have a lovely winter break and thanks to everyone for making the SA Current Flash Fiction blog and once-a-month Best Of what it is. This is a unique and excellent San Antonio literary niche. Help make it even better in 2012 by continuing to spread the word. — Lyle Rosdahl

"Progression"

by Nicole Cohen

One. The mango light leaks across the horizon and spills into the air in my lungs as I ride on my father's shoulders. He carries me across the threshold, and I start to cry.

Two. I drive in the car with my mother until we come to a stoplight broken, flashing red. She says it means we have to wait for our turn because the other cars have right-of-way. I am impatient, and I don't understand why they seem to have rights that we do not.

Three. I sit at the edge of the pool by the deep end with my figurines, connecting their snap-together hands to form a chain, repeating this over and over and hoping that maybe next time the plastic links will be long enough and strong enough to stretch across the water. The plastic doesn't budge; there is no bridge.

Four. There is heat and fear, and colors flash past like the heat and like the fear that I will see again later when I close my eyes, and even later like the fire I'll show the world if just to wake it up. I roll over and take a sip of water.
Five. I sit in a room alone. It's just me and the mango walls, and everything else fated to be consumed by the ravenous progression of time. •

Lyle Rosdahl, a writer living in San Antonio, edits the flash fiction blog & best of in print for the Current. He created, facilitates, and participates in Postcard Fiction Collaborative, a monthly flash fiction response to a photo. You can see more of his work, including photos, paintings, and writing at lylerosdahl.com. Submit your flash fiction for consideration in future posts and selections to flashfiction@sacurrent.com.