She would never get away with it.
Everyone knew how allergic Tom was to onions.
She had stopped trying after placing the poisoned salad at Tom’s place for Christmas dinner last year. Though she had diced the onions to minuscule bits and tucked them beneath the romaine, he could smell their strong odor.
“Stupid bitch. Watch what you’re doing!”
She recalled the looks. Pity. Blame.
She shook off the memory.
“Al’s Pizza is right next door,” the cashier said eyeing her basket.
“It’s a special occasion,” she placed the yeast, flour, tomatoes, cheese, and onion powder on the counter.
Flash Fiction Challenge over at Carrot Ranch
August 19 Prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes onions.
Lemon Shark Reef 
Eh. Not crazy about this one but I did manage to follow the prompt and get it down to 99 words. So there’s that. 😉
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What a calculating, determined woman! Very old bottles of onion powder lost in the spice cabinets for years lose their smell – at least mine did when I discovered it there the other day. 😉
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Ooh! I will have to keep that in mind. Perhaps I’ll change her selection at the store, have her reaching back for the outdated bottles. 😉
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You do creepy psychos very well – too well perhaps?!
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I’m behind you.
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Èeeeek
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You did great Sarah. So onion powder it is then! I would like to know if Tom smells it before it’s too late, or indeed suspects the real reason why she (his wife I’m assuming) accidentally ‘forgot’ about putting onions in the salad. A murderous plot is afoot…eye wateringly delicious I would say 🙂
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I suspect he will not suspect because I suspect he is the type to yell at unsuspecting people and move on, not thinking of motives. He wouldn’t suspect foul play because he’s arrogant. “A murderous plot is afoot…” I love it. Thanks for the “eye wateringly delicious” comment. Loving your word choice today. 🙂
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Ha, love it! : ‘I suspect he will not suspect because I suspect he is the type to yell at unsuspecting people…’ Oh you definitely have his true colours nailed to the tree. Great stuff Sarah. And just to let you know, I’ve signed off from blogging for a while as I am desperate to finish my memoir, and also I’ll be taking some time away with my family (in France!). I’ll miss you and your posts, but I’ll be back again as soon as possible. I’ve got this ‘now or never’ kind of thing going on so…it’s time. I wanted to let you know and wish you a wonderful rest of the summer and then it will be time to walk in those autumn woods again and watch the leaves fall and breathe in the cool mists of a ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’. Hugs to you dear Sarah, see you soon 🙂 ❤
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You have mail. ❤
Enjoy your break and I look forward to seeing you around the blogosphere when you are done. I want to hear that you have typed "The End". (Can't wait for a walk in the Autumn woods again, either…)
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🙂
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I like her persistence, Tom must be a real monster!
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He’s a real jackass for sure. Yes, I like her persistence, too. 🙂 Thanks, Pete.
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Wicked. Reminds me of that movie where the gal tried to escape her nasty husband and faked her own death… until he found her again. I think it starred Julia Roberts.
We don’t have to like everything we write. But getting it down – that is the important part. And as long as it is fiction…
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Ah! Yes! (And, thank you!) Is it Sleeping with the Enemy? Good movie.
That’s why I have this site. So I can play. I don’t always love the flash I’ve written but I love the process and the challenge of some of these prompts. Good thing my hubbie is a nice guy with no allergies…is that what you’re saying? 😉
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When there’s a ‘Will’ there’s a way…
or is it just ‘will’power?
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😀 Shall I rename him “Will” or change the title to Will Powder?
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All, some or none – that is your choice 🙂
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I like it — we want to know “get away with what?” Then, we want to know “how’s she going to try again?” Best of all, we’re rooting for her. 😮
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I’m happy to hear someone’s rooting for her. 🙂 I know I am. (Also, I like that first line so I really appreciate on your comment about it.) Thanks!
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A great concoction of tension with an underlying mystery. The midway outburst hints at deeper trouble in the household, and brilliant, onion powder and the deadly title comes to life! Clever!
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Good. I was hoping that one line would be enough. Not his anger about the mistake but a deeper issue in the home. (Yes, I kind of liked that title. Made me giggle.) Thanks, Charli.
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You have to give it to her, she’s determined.
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Never stop trying. Don’t you remember that cute little train engine? 😉
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Absolutely. I live my life by it. Some times the top seems to take a long time before I can say I knew I could.
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Pingback: When Life Gives You Onions « Carrot Ranch Communications
Powder residue. That’s a good title. I was thinking the smoking kind – guns, that is. I wasn’t thinking onion powder. I wonder will it smell and/or taste? Hmm. Will he discover? I think it is very clever the way you have managed to tell the whole story in 99 words.
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Thanks, Norah. That’s what I was aiming for (pun intended) with the title and the whole story in a short flash. So happy it worked for you.
I don’t know… Kate seems to think if it’s an older bottle, he won’t smell it. 😉
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Will it still be potent if it has lost its smell and taste? What is that he has a reaction to? Maybe it becomes inactive over time too. Perhaps it needs to be camouflaged with something stronger. Does he like garlic?
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Ahahaha! 😀 I’m the one with the dark mind?! Camouflaging the onion powder with something stronger-smelling? Garlic can definitely be baked into pizza crust without raising suspicion. Isn’t it usually? (I’m not sure if onion powder becomes less potent if/when it loses its smell but he is very allergic.) 😈
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Sorry. I can’t help myself. You have heard me say, I’m sure, that it is important to question everything! 🙂
But my questions to your fabulous fanciful stories come from amusement rather than serious questioning! I do enjoy them so. Nevertheless – a serious answer could be interesting, if one could be bothered . . . (Don’t tell anyone I said that!) 🙂
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Good start!
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Thanks! That’s my “The End”, though. 99 words. That’s all I get for this challenge. 😉
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Chilling conclusion to this piece – and certainly it begs certain questions mysterious to the nature (pardon the pun) of their relationship. Still, excellent write 🙂
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Aw, thanks. Much appreciated. 🙂 Yes, their relationship is unpleasant. What goes on behind the scenes? Hmm…
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