Snookered (1st Place) Editor Pick 10/10

Tommy’s imagination in overdrive, he stared at the picture of an alien with its arms wrapped around his father. He examined it in detail as his smiling father looked up into its face. This was a find amongst the rummages of the old attic.

He slipped the picture under his shirt and descended the ladder down into the hall. His mind still raced at the thoughts of his father actually meeting an alien. He pulled the rope and the spring-tensioned ladder collapsed back into the ceiling.

Tommy sneaked down the stairs and reached to open the front door in a trek to Andy’s house, his best friend, when…

“Hey there sport. Where are you off to?” His father, Dean, asked.

“Me?” Tommy’s eyes swelled to saucers. “I, uh, was going… to go… to Andy’s house. Yeah.”

“What’s going on?” Dean leaned forward and noticed the bulge. “Whatcha got under there?”

“I found it in the attic.” Then Tommy pulled it from under his shirt.

“Oh,” Dean stated and grinned a bit when the photo was produced. Dean studied the photo and nodded. “Well, son. It’s time you knew. This was your real mother.”

Tommy’s eyes once again saucerlike, he stumbled back in total surprise. He started examining his hands and skin to see if any of his features were alien.

“It’s true. Now go on up to your room. You may become quite thirsty here in a little while.”

“Is that one of their things? You know, what they do?”

“No more questions. Off with you now.”

Tommy raced up the stairs, paused to look at his hands, then proceeded to his room.

Margie opened the front door and saw Dean with the photo still in his hand.

“Why’s that Halloween picture down here?”

“Oh… just having a little fun.”


300 Words
Flash Story must contain the line: "I found it in the attic."

Editor's Pick in the October 20, 2010 Comedy Newsletter