© irene waters 2015
Blast, I slept through the alarm again.
Josh sat in the stationary traffic. Thank heavens the alarm hadn’t woken him. I’d have been on that bridge if I was on time.
“You’re fired. This is the sixth day in a row you’ve been late. It just isn’t good enough. Pack your desk and leave now.”
“The bridge collapsed. Lots of casualties.”
“Too bad. Out!”
Josh couldn’t take his eyes off the slender blue-eyed blonde headed woman smiling at him in the lift. Thank heavens I was fired. Instead of a computer screen I’m staring into the eyes of my future.
For 99 word flash fiction over at Charli’s Carrot Ranch. Join in or read the others by following the link.
October 14, 2015 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that reveals or explores a moment of serendipity. How did it come about? What did it lead to? You can express a character’s view of the moment or on serendipity in general. Use the element of surprise or show how it is unexpected or accidentally good.
For those of you who recognize, serendipity has been a prompt before. What can I say, but I like its magic! And it is never the same gift.
Respond by October 20, 2015 to be included in the weekly compilation. Rules are here. All writers are welcome!
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Oh, that’s fantastic. I love where you took this. Though the first part is scary because I’ve been in that situation many times. (Though a few times, I’m sure it was other people passing ME saying that.)
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Yes you think at times like that 5 mins earlier or 5 mins later – thank heavens for serendipity.
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Ha…what a serendipitious day for Josh indeed (is that a word?) And to think his future could have been so very different…as in no future. Love this flash Irene, the different paths (and collapsed bridge) you showed us in so few words. So clever… 🙂
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Thanks Sherri. As with most fiction I struggle to get going. Almost gave this one up but happy I persevered. Yes I think serendipitous is a word. I use it anyway (not that that means anything.)
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I’m glad you persevered Irene 🙂
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Haha….loved the angle here, Irene 🙂
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Thanks Ruchira. 🙂
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Now if he just lucks into another job, the day will be totally serendipitous! Good story!
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Absolutely but I would have needed 104 words to do it in. LOL Thanks
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Well! That’s thing: we stand at crossroads a dozen times a day and usually never know what might have happened, for the better or worse, if we’d gone another way. Glad Josh got to see the benefit of his mishaps. Serendipitous indeed for him (and yes, though I could not see the adjective form in the dictionary, usage makes it valid). Nice flash Irene.
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Thanks Jeanne. Josh was lucky to recognise it. For most of us we use our hindsight to see what might have been. As you pointed out – you have to make much of it happen and be open to it.
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Several twists of serendipity! Your flash reminds me of stories I heard after the bridge collapse in Minneapolis. So many claimed that they were delayed or had to do something unexpected that led them away from that deadly crossing.
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Sad. I didn’t know about your bridge collapse. Is that the same one that Pat referred to. Both of us talking about bridge collapses I thought was quite serendipitous. I have often heard people saying five minutes earlier it would have been them. I think I’ve even said it myself.
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We never know how many times we have been spared a catastrophe by being delayed, leaving sooner, or choosing a different path. Poor Josh didn’t have a good record, though, did he? Six days late in a row. A bridge collapse this time. What happened the other five? I hope the blue-eyed blonde likes what she sees just as much or all his serendipity might be for naught! Well done!
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Six days late in a row probably means he was open to being fired. I think we all can probably recall a time we’ve felt lucky something delayed us. Thanks for reading Norah.
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True. He couldn’t have been too keen on getting there. New opportunities await! 🙂
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Now I like this positive spin. A bright future indeed 🙂
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He’s optimistic anyway. 🙂
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