Spin-the-bottle

Hahaha!! The ending is killer!!! Loved this, Robert!!

Thanks Meg, so happy you liked this one!

Reminded me of the child in my class who thought he knew what 'passive smoking' was....think about it...

Thanks for the read and comments, Fiona!

The only thing that jarred was "red" twice in the opening line. Everything after that, pure gold.

Thanks for the skillful eye, Foster! Duly noted...appreciate the generous comments, as always.

This is marvelous, Robert.

Haha, you definitely did not see that coming at the end. Great work!

Neil,

Thanks so much!

Katie,

I appreciate your comments.

You can see this. Visualize the thing. Likely to get an 'R' rating, despite the ages of the characters involved, 'Rated R for adult insinuation and immoral porpoises.'

fave

James, you crack me up. I adore you for that and so much more. Thrilled you liked this lil R rated tale.

Hahaha! Reminded me of a time in eighth grade I'd prefer to forget! Funny and true. *

Thanks, Joani! And I wondered how many folks had some sort of version of this story, so thanks for that.

Gotta love flash fiction... the ending was perfection.

This is wonderful, Robert! Brings back ancient, cringe-making memories and the ending is a short sentence on the road to hilarity.
Loved it - fave

Kshiti,

Thanks a ton!

MaryAnne,

Your generosity is much appreciated. Thanks!

Great piece, Robert. Very drawn to this moment in the middle:

"The July heat pressed through the roof slats. Cicadas buzzed in their high pitches."

Wonderful imagery. Yes.

Sam, you are the man! Thanks my friend!

The sweet innocence is jarred by the unexpected last thought, a very good flash with all the flash of a childhood summer.
*

Susan,

Your thoughtful comments make me so happy! Thanks.

nice. efficient and elegant. i like the latitude you leave the reader to fill in details. the ending has a kind of "ice storm vibe to it. well played.

Didn't see that one coming, Robert! Nice.

Stephen,

I love how you respond to any story or poem that is posted. And that you made the ice storm reference, well, it made my evening! So, thanks.

David, so happy that I surprised you. It also did the same to me, too. Jolt! Thanks, my friend.

Total digital high-five on that one. The ending was unsurprising and rad!

Hilarious! Love it!!!! (and you). VERY Ice Storm meets key party. Awesome.

Michael,

You are the best! I am thrilled that your paths have crossed in more than one way. Or another!!!

Andrea,

You get me like no other. Again, and again. Key party indeed. xoxo

This is great. Killer quick.

I swoon.

Harley, you were in that treehouse? Perhaps? Either way, thanks for the comments. Appreciate.

Pow! Knock out punch at end. Nice!

Bam! Thanks Bill!

Being a swinger is one thing. Realizing that your parents are swingers is a whole other issue.

Nice. Faved.

The end made me smile. *

J. Bear,
I hadn't ever thought about it from that angle, so thanks! I appreciate the read and comments.

Christopher,

Getting a smile from you makes my day!

Nice one, Robert. Love the moment you create here so effectively, and what a great way to end!

Christian, you are so thoughtful, thanks for the support!

Whenever I begin to wonder what makes words into story, worry that flash just isn't enough--and sometimes it isn't--I read something like this that takes an instant yet weighs so heavy with story that it leaves me feeling as if I just read a lifetime. Nice.

Susan, you rock my world! What a generous, and sweet comment! Thanks does not even begin to cover it.

Nice Robert. Says a lot in a short space, very nice ending (I'm a big fan of exiting w/a zing and you got it!)

Thomas,
Thanks for the read and sweet comments! I like a zing at the end, too!

I like this very short and scenic story. *

Dear Ann,
Thank you so much!

Real good for a shorty!

Thanks, Thomas!

Great one, Thomas. Didn't see the ending coming.

"It was like heaven, hosting everyone in my treehouse."

Thanks, John! I appreciate the support!

Bang. Original. A story with sharp elbows. Vintage Robert V. Fav.

Thanks, Jack. You da' BOMB!

Robert, great job. You pounded it home with the final line. That's a fave from me.

Joe, thanks for your loyal and generous support. I appreciate it.

Great ending. How soon we learn acceptance for being like those who came before. *

Beate, thanks, and indeed! Thanks for getting me like no other. I appreciate you so very much.

Ah! I was unimpressed until that last line. Well done.

Why thanks, Christian...glad I could un-impress and then flip that switch! I appreciate the read and comments.

Well, it's the end that often counts, right? ;)

Yes, Christian, the end often does.

The ending, as well as the rest, was a wallop!

Thanks for reading and commenting, David! I appreciate it.

so that's what heaven is like. i see!

You tell me, Tantro! Thanks for reading and speculating!