July 1, 2020
NYC Microfiction Challenge
In the NYC Microfiction Challenge, writers are assigned a random genre, action and word. They are then given 24 hours to submit a story in 100 words or less. In the most recent challenge, I was assigned Drama (genre), Sewing (action) and Strength (word).
I was delighted to receive an 'Honorable Mention' when the results were announced for my 97-word piece below:
Sweating and Sewing
Her mother hadn’t the strength to sit up when Ananya was giving her medicine.
“I’ll get a different job, Mama. I can take care of you.”
She wiped the sweat from her mother’s forehead. Afterwards she used the same cloth to absorb the spots of blood from between her legs.
Later, in the factory, she got a cramp while sewing a flimsy hemline. The sweating supervisor ogled her newly-sprouting breasts, her long slim legs.
“Come here, you girl.”
“Yes, sir?”
“You’re useless at the machines. I’ve a job for you in the evening times. It pays better.”