I’m an optimist. Emma prefers pessimism. When I’m wrong reality is rough; when she’s wrong the news is not so bad.
I was planning to write about beneficial bats. Emma said, “Bats? Oh yeah, spring’s here. The bats will be coming out to harass people and cows.”
I was certain she was wrong. I consulted National Geographic.
“During the darkest part of the night, common vampire bats emerge to hunt. Sleeping cattle and horses are their usual victims, but they have been known to feed on people as well.”
Next, I’m writing optimistically about politics.
I’m not consulting Emma.
April 12: Flash Fiction Challenge
Yes, we are going to get batty this week.
April 12, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes a bat. You can use an association to the winged, cave-dwelling critter, or you can explore the word for other meanings. Bonus points for including a bat cave. Go where the prompt leads.
Barrier Island Blues 
LOL optimism and politics in the one sentence is funny and I guess optimistic. Now I’m going to have to consult National Geographic to know if fact or fiction. I love the photo of the bat with his tongue hanging out.
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Thank you. Sometimes the ‘fiction’ I write is closer to creative non-fiction. Emma is a fictional name. And I am not much of an optimist. The conversation is real, and the National Geographic quote. 😊
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It is funny you say you are not much of an optimist. I’m not either but rather than being a pessimist I believe I’m a realist. Sadly often being realistic puts us into the pessimistic side of the continuum. You wrote your creative nonfiction well. I had no idea there really are vampire bats. Thanks for that.
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Thank you! I do want to believe that love and justice will win eventually. It’s the length of time between now and ‘eventually’ that worries me.
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LOL. I’m hopeful for that as well.
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Ha ha ha, that is a smart move indeed 🙂
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Nicole, your flash made me laugh! I also like how you differentiate between optimists and pessimists.
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Thank you, Charli.
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