Bonaparte, IA Post Office
What Pegman Saw is a new Flash Fiction challenge utilizing Google Maps by K Rawson. The assignment is to write a story –150 words or less– based upon the location provided. Use the photo or follow the Google Maps link and take your own street view tour.
Here is this week’s location.
I’m stepping out of my Friday Fictioneers comfort zone this week. Having more than 100 words to play with was actually something of a luxury.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 149
POSTAGE DUE
“Didja check the return address?” asked Milly.
Charlie, the postmaster, pushed back his cap and scratched his head. “Ain’t got one. Jest addressed to you and James.” He unfolded a rumpled note. “It says, ‘December 20, 1914. Keep it warm and dry. Merry Christmas.’ It’s postmarked Pleasantville, Iowa. You know anyone there?”
“We went through there last January.” The vision of a young couple popped into her mind. “Grace and Elliott Tucker. She couldn’t’a been more’n fifteen. They put us up for a few days when one of our horses went lame. Nice folks. I hope they’re well.”
“Afraid Mr. Tucker done got his-self killed. Struck by lightning.” Charlie handed her an obituary included with the note. “You gonna accept the package?”
Milly lifted the month old infant from the mailing pouch, breathed in his sweetness and kissed his round cheek. “In time for Christmas dinner. Welcome home, Noel.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Such a sweet Christmas story! Gave me goosebumps. Thank you kindly for the plug and for joining in the prompt!
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Dear Karen,
My pleasure to participate. I can’t promise I’ll be able to do it every week but this was fun. A different spin on the prompt. Best wishes and a Merry Christmas to you and yours. And thank you for the nice comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent Christmas story. There’s a great rhythm to this piece, and you’ve captured the small town vibe really well. Glad you’re stepping out of your comfort zone! It seems mighty comfortable to me 😉
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Dear J Hardy,
Your words warm me on a frigid morning. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A darling story with a Christmas theme, Rochelle. Good writing as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Sometimes a story is just there. Glad you liked it. Thank you. 😀 And Merry Christmas.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Holiday Blessings and Shalom to you and yours, Rochelle. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Oooh a new challenge. I might see if I have time to do this one. Three a week shouldn’t be too hard. He says right before Christmas lol.
I like this story. The twist at the end was really good.
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Dear Al,
This looked interesting. The Google map thing that allows you to choose a photo is intriguing. Not sure if I can keep it up every week, but the extra 50 words was something of a luxury. 😉 I’m pleased it worked. Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Writing a story now. I like the fact that it can be different for everyone. There are many places in that area to choose from.
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Well. That’s a different twist. Many, probably most, people don’t realize that children were actually mailed back then. Scary thought. Your story is both sad and hopeful. A tragedy for one and a new beginning for another. I wouldn’t say you stepped out of your comfort zone at all. Good story.
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Dear Jan,
Thanks for the comment and the support. ❤
Love,
Rochelle
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Masterful story, Rochelle. I don’t always like realistic fiction, but yours is just so excellent and compelling, full of at least the promise of hope. The last paragraph here is so surprising and beautiful; I think it’s my favorite (if I had to choose). Shalom!
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Dear Leigh,
Warm smiles on a cooooold morning. Thank you so much for your glowing words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yep, so, so cold. We’re only, I think, about 4 hours from you guys. I didn’t leave the house in 2 days (unusual for me; I don’t like being cooped up inside). You know, CNF magazine might be a market you look into, when you’re not busy with writing books or making art! Anyhow, it was an excellent story; as Jan said, lots of people don’t know that children were ‘shipped’ back in the day. And, sadly, we hear this morning, that there are 47 orphans in Aleppo, but at least they seem to have gotten out safely.
On a positive note, keep writing and good luck with your triplets!
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Thank you, Leigh on all counts. What is CNF magazine? I’m not familiar. Thank you also again for tagging me on Facebook. You never know what’s going to go where, do you? Stay warm.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Sorry, I mean Creative Nonfiction magazine. I don’t know if I can put a link here, but I’ll try: https://www.creativenonfiction.org/
As you’ll see, they have a lot of themed issues. Have a wonderful week and I’ll wish you and your family an early happy Hanukkah! Take care, Leigh
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Oh dear, oh dear, I haven’t even started working on this week’s FF challenge yet, and now there’s this new and enticing one. I know I can’t keep up, but I may have to try one of these after the first of the year. Thanks for sharing it with us. Your story itself is a hoot. Now, I know most people won’t consider it funny at all, and I do understand that it deals with a very serious issue. However, you capture so much of the down-to-earth, easy-going, free-spirit attitude of these people that it gives the whole piece a light tone. And the end is certainly surprising, to say the least. All in all, I found it sweet, happy, and funny all at the same time. And just think: you did it all with a word to spare. Your diligent FF discipline has paid off for sure.
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Dear Sandra,
I saw this challenge and thought I’d give it a go. The story came so quickly this morning that it almost took me by surprise. The truth is I’ve always found it fascinating that there was a time in US history where people actually did mail children parcel post! I’ve wanted to write about it some way and today was the day. 😀
In some ways it is funny. The sharpest wit is often born of pain. Thank you for all of your lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved the story…. Sad, but great that the child was so wanted!
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Thank you, Roger. 😀 Glad you liked.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a sweet story! Out of your comfort zone, my butt… 😉
I, too, got goosebumps from the last couple of paragraphs!
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Dear Dale,
Okay, okay. Maybe I should’ve found a better way to say that I was trying something different. It was kind of fun having more than 100 words. Goosbumps are quite a compliment. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nope… I would change nothing…
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Nice Christmas story. What a gift to get!
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Thank you, Debra. 🙂
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is great Rochelle. Love the dialogue – such a strong, genuine feel to their language. And what a present to receive. As others have said, a mixture of tragedy and joy here and very well conveyed. I just can’t believe people actually posted their kids … Nicely done
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Dear Lynn,
I can’t imagine mailing a child. 😉 Yet, for a time, people did just that. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a responsibility for the postman! Did they have to clean and feed the kids while they were delivering them? No wonder that service died out! Great story and always a pleasure, Rochelle
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Wow, you should increase FF to one hundred and fifty words, on the strength of this story, loved the vision that you created.
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Dear Michael,
What lovely words re my story. However, I’ll leave FF at one hundred words for the time being. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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At the face of it unexpected and heartwarming yet the subtext speaks of loss, tragedy and so much more – quite quite brilliant Rochelle
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Dear Dahlia,
I’m pleased that you caught all of it. Thank you for your wonderful compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Sha
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What a beautiful Christmas story, Rochelle. Merry Christmas to you!
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Thank you, Eric and a Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle! This is so warm and wonderful. Great take on the prompt.
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Dear Alicia,
Thank you for such a warm and wonderful comment. 😉 Always appreciated. Glad you liked.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, wow, didn’t expect that ending. Great story…I can just picture the looks on the Postal Workers faces… hehehee! What a blessed Christmas gift, too.
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Dear Jelli,
I can’t imagine sending children parcel post, can you? I guess it happened during that time frame. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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