Writing Starter 14

Consider Ernest Hemingway’s six-word story that we talked about in class: For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.Turn Hemingway’s story into a piece of flash fiction, 150 words or less.

“For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.” I saw this ad in the newspaper on Saturday morning. 

“This must be a sign,” I thought. I had been debating whether or not to continue my unexpected pregnancy. I was 19, and in my second year of college. Having this baby would make finishing my degree infinitely more difficult. However, this seemed to be a sign from the universe. Maybe now was the time for me to become a mother. 

I cut out the ad and posted it on my fridge. I figured I’d come back to it later, and see how I felt about the whole situation. I pulled out some ice cream and sat down on the couch. Suddenly I was overcome by an intense pain in my abdomen. I called my best friend, who drove me to the hospital, where I was informed that my pregnancy had ended prematurely.