Flash Fiction Blog Hop

Ali Cross from the Ali's Dojo blog is hosting a blog hop in honor of Independence day. The theme is "It's Independence Day and Anything Can Happen..." 
To join in the fun or read other entries go here.


Flash Fiction is hard for me so it's a little bit longer than 250 words. I wrote it this morning so be kind. Here's my entry:

BOOM

    “Gah! Get out of here you cursed birds.” Justin waved his spatula at the noisy black beasts, but one of them still managed to snatch a salmon fillet off the grill.

     Erica stifled a laugh when Justin swore and brandished the spatula about like he was a knight fighting a great foe.

     “I think a full-on scarecrow outfit is required,” Erica said, as she walked past the grill with the last of the dinner dishes. “You know, desperate times call for desperate measures.”

     “You're laughing now, but it was your fillet that nasty crow made off with,” Justin said. Erica glanced back at him just before entering The Salmon Bake. Justin's cocky wink turned her feet to jelly and she nearly tripped on the rug.

     The clean-up crew groaned when Erica came into the kitchen with more dishes.

     “This is the last I promise,” she said waving a used napkin like a white flag. It was nearly midnight when Erica finally pulled off her red visor and apron. She'd just allowed her dark hair to fall freely to her shoulders when she felt a warm body behind her.

     “You going to watch the fireworks?” Justin asked. Tingles ran down her neck when his breath whispered across her ear.

     “I planned on it, but it's too late now. I'm sure my friends have left already.”

     “Come with me. I've got front row seats in my motor boat.” He must have seen the hesitation on her face because he rushed on and said, “Live a little Erica. You've been here over a month and have yet to fraternize with the natives.”

     Erica had been in Haines, Alaska long enough to know that the natives left much to be desired. But she'd also been here long enough to know that Justin was...different.

     “All right.” A funny pressure squeezed her heart when Justin smiled down at her.

     They climbed into Justin's boat just as the last of the sun's rays disappeared behind the mountains. Erica still hadn't got used to the sunsets at midnight nor the sunrises three hours later, but tonight she was grateful—extremely grateful that she hadn't missed the fireworks or this moment.

     It was cold on the water, but Justin was prepared with jackets and blankets. Erica gasped when the first bursts of color glittered over their heads and showered the water with sparks. She sighed when Justin took hold of her hand. She felt heat building up inside her when he reached across her to tuck the blankets beneath her. She thought her heart might explode when he gazed into her eyes. His lips touched hers. Boom.

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