Arlene, the White Oak Tree: a flash-fiction story

Flash fiction short story. Status: Finished and accepted for publication by a really cool journal. Details will be provided once it is published.

Arlene Wollemacher was sick of nothing ever getting better, and of having to give a shit about her husband and his constant judgment.

So, she decided to become a tree. This would ruin her husband, Joel. Even many years later, when he tried to return to her, he was not up to being with her.

“Arlene, the White Oak Tree” is magical realism flash fiction. It runs 970 words.

Excerpt:

Just then, a strong breeze dropped from a dense, dark cloud rolling their way. Wind flicked and flapped Arlene’s long, naturally blonde hair like a flag, but she stood strong.

Joel didn’t. The gust about knocked him off his feet. That’s when she figured he was drunk already.

Clearly, Joel was embarrassed by the wobble, pissed even. “Get your skinny ass in the damn house, Arlene,” he commanded.

When she did not respond, he yanked her arm, but she had already stiffened some, and her feet had taken root. The strength of her steadfastness surprised Joel, far surpassing his expectations. His grip slipped. He stumbled and fell just as rain unleashed.

“‘Your body, my choice!’ you like to say? Well, not anymore,” Arlene said. “I made this choice.”

Joel sat in the grass. Heavy rain pelted them both as they realized, this, indeed, was it, or might as well be.