Flash Fiction Entries

Afternoon Tea

Imagining it was time—her guest was always punctual—Clara heated the water for tea and set the table: crisp linens, two Spode cups and saucers, polished silverware, and lemon wedges in a cut-glass dish.


The kettle whistled.

A floral fragrance filled the kitchen as Jasmine tea steeped in the ceramic teapot.

Clara switched her cellphone to vibrate; although her self-absorbed children rarely bothered checking on her, answering while entertaining appeared ungracious.

“Had a visitor today,” Clara texted her daughter later that evening before dumping out the wilted lemons wedges, pouring the untouched cups of tea down the drain.