Peccavi! (I have sinned in Latin). I missed last week’s TerribleMinds flash fiction challenge due to unscheduled car issues. Instead of spending thousands on an elderly truck that’s breathing its last, I found the ultimate workaround – buy a new car. I spent the weekend shopping for a new car (payment), and playing haggler’s judo with salesmen. Finally, I found an acceptable car for the right price, okay mileage and payment terms that will only force me to eat domestic baloney.

I’ll blog about the old Madza Truck that I left behind, the vehicle that transported me through five states, two long-term relationships, a marriage, poverty, property, misery, happiness, incarceration and freedom.

Now for my latest contribution to the Terrible Minds Friday Flash Fiction Challenge. Paint your wagon, or else.

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And when they ran out of Florals, they turned on the Stripes.

“Paint faster,” Annie said to Frank, face flecked with beige paint.

A Neighborhood Association airship sailed overhead. “One tone good. Two tones bad,” barked its loudspeaker.

“Have to do this right,” Frank said as he painted over the last stripe.

Annie peeked through the curtain and flinched back. The NA Enforcers beat the Millers on their lawn, threw strips of blue stripped wallpaper on them, and set it afire. The Enforcers turned toward their home.

“Hurry!”

“Done,” Frank said, inspecting the solid beige walls.

“Please pass,” she pleaded.