A New Flash

Almost two years ago while riding the exercise bike in rehab after one of my several joint surgeries, I caught a flash of red out of the corner of my eye. I couldn't tell what it was and my imagination went into overdrive trying to figure out if it was something in the room, something reflected in the windows, or an image in one of the mirrors. Before I could figure it out, the physical therapist sent me on to my next station and I forgot about the red thing. But the next week on the same bike, I spotted it again. This time I was determined to understand what it was. I studied the parking lot and trees outside and finally ruled them out when I realized I could sort of see through the image. Finally, I was able to check out the room from a different angle and spotted the fire alarm on the opposite wall reflecting on the glass. Every session after that I looked for the red that looked like it was in the outside trees or the sidewalk depending on the perspective. To pass the time while I cycled, I started making up stories about what the red image might have been in a different universe. Since it was nearing St. Patrick's Day and I was traumatized by the old movie, Darby O'Gill and the Little People in my youth, I came up with the story of a really annoying leprechaun who picks on people going through rehab.

You can read it now if you buy this anthology of forty-eight mostly flash fantasy stories that range from fairies, to dragons to a menagerie of creatures of the imagination edited by Diana Leacock.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-little-fantasy-everywhere-dina-leacock/1146434752

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