Welcome to the fourth week of the Spring Writing Challenge!
You all did so well with your stories last week! There were so many interesting and unique ways you interpreted the prompt. It’s now the fourth week, so it’s time to do it again! Will your story have an epic battle between good and evil? A long-lost evil brother? Whatever you decide, we can’t wait to see what you come up with.
So, without further ado, here’s your next prompt!
Week Four Prompt – The Theme Prompt
Write a story that’s about a
Bigfoot Reunion
Wait…what’s a theme prompt?
A theme prompt is a prompt that’s about a particular subject! It doesn’t matter where your story takes place, who’s in it, or what’s said. The only thing that matters is that your story must be about a Bigfoot Reunion.
Before you start writing, we have some important rules for you to follow.
Writing Rules
1. Please keep the content of the stories you post to a PG rating. Please avoid real curse words. Violence/fighting should be limited and purposeful. Please do not include any spice.
2. Your story must be 1,000 words or less, and must contain the prompt to be counted for the challenge. You’re not required to post it in order to “win” the challenge, but if you want it to count for your team, your story must be posted by Sunday at 11:59 PM ET, and you must include your team name.
Remember to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and post your story as an “answer” to this question, not a “comment”. 🙂 You’re all doing such a great job! I’m so proud of all the stories you’ve posted.
Happy Writing!
Mammoth Pines
When Grandpa died, the first thing that no one talked about was who was getting all the money. It was certainly on everyone’s mind, but no one said it out loud. Grandpa had never told any member of our family what would happen to his vast wealth after he was gone. Never a whisper. So, when we were all instructed to make our way to Mammoth Pines for his private funeral, all we knew was that the patriarch of our family, for better or worse, was no more.
Mr. Jenkins, the executor of Grandpa’s estate, made arrangements for everyone to stay at Grandpa’s Mammoth Pines Lodge for the weekend. Everyone was expected to arrive on Friday, attend the funeral on Saturday, and then depart on Sunday. Declining the invitation was not an option. Attendance was a condition of receipt of any beneficiary assets.
I had to ask for two days off work — Friday to travel and the following Monday to recover from whatever drama had transpired over the weekend. I wasn’t sure what the drama would look like, but I knew there would be drama. That’s the way Grandpa liked it. Even in death, he would be sure to produce something of theatrical proportions. Turns out I wasn’t disappointed.
I was the last to arrive. My father and mother met me at the door with perfunctory hugs and directed me to join the rest of the family for an “impromptu” meeting.
“Everyone is in the great room already,” my dad said, “So let’s go.”
I really could have used some dinner and a couple of Advil, but I acquiesced. The rest of the family was in the great room, either sitting on the oversized couches and chairs around the massive fireplace, or gathered near the bar, sipping cocktails. My father’s two siblings, my Uncle Phil and Aunt Janice, were each flanked by their spouses and children. Of my six cousins, I had only ever been close to one of them — Aunt Janice’s oldest daughter, Sarah. Seeing me enter, Sarah jumped up and ran to me.
“Oh, Kate,” she whispered in my ear as she gave me a hug. “This is going to be an epic weekend.”
“Epic how?” I asked, hugging her back. “What do you know?”
She laughed. “I don’t know anything! But you know Grandpa.”
Yes, we all knew Grandpa, at least from afar. None of us had grown up near the man, but we had heard many a story about his quirky and unpleasant nature. Our parents, having lost their mother as young children, had all left home and moved to far-flung places as soon as they were old enough, marrying and raising their families far from the patriarch. There had been the occasional visit to Mammoth Pines over the years, but not recently. As a life-long urbanite, I felt like an alien in the remote mountain forest environment. Rather than refreshing me with its greenery and clean air, it made me feel nervous.
Uncle Phill called the family meeting to attention, tapping on his martini glass with a cocktail spoon. “We’re all here,” he began, “to hear a message from our father — and grandfather.” He held up a sealed manilla envelope which he began to open. “I just want to tell you all that I don’t know what’s in here. Mr. Jenkins sent it to me and told me it should not be opened until we all gathered together for Dad’s funeral, but that it had to be read before the funeral. So, here we are.”
He pulled out what appeared to be a letter and a collection of photographs. He glanced momentarily at one of the photos and froze. “What?”
“What, Phil?” my father prompted. But Uncle Phil shrugged and shuffled the letter to the top of the pile, apparently hoping to find clarity.
“Dear family,” Uncle Phil began reading. “If you are gathered in Mammoth Pines and hearing this, then I’m dead. Happy now?”
Uncle Phil paused. Everyone in the room looked uncomfortable for a moment, and then my cousin Wallace broke the tension with a laugh. “Well, I’m not exactly sad,” Wallace chuckled.
Uncle Phil frowned and continued reading. “I know you’re all wondering about the money. So, before my funeral, I want to get a few things straight. First of all, everyone in the family will get a share. Second of all, you’re not my only family.”
Uncle Phil stopped again and, with furrowed brow, appeared to be scanning the rest of the letter, trying to figure out what was going on.
“Oh, for God’s sake, just read it, Phil!” Aunt Janice shouted.
Uncle Phil continued. “Enclosed are photos of my other family. You will meet them all tomorrow at the funeral. Mr. Jenkins has made all the arrangements. A few years ago I met Sonoqua. She and her children — my step-children — are what people call ‘Sasquatch.’ I think you will find them to be wonderful people. My estate is split equally among all of you. Mr. Jenkins will make sure that all the assets are liquidated and the funds appropriately transferred. I hope you will all get along and perhaps even get to know each other. ”
That was apparently the end of the letter.
Several moments of complete silence ensued, and then suddenly everyone lunged toward Uncle Phil, grabbing for the photos. I picked up one that fell to the floor. It was taken in Grandpa’s living room and depicted a 7-foot tall ape-like woman, covered with reddish-brown hair and wearing a long, red silk robe, standing in front of the Christmas tree where three equally hairy children sat, opening presents.
I suddenly realized that Sarah was looking over my shoulder at the picture. I turned and we looked at each other for a moment, our eyes reflecting a mixture of astonishment and amusement.
“Epic,” Sarah whispered.
I agreed.
This was a fun story and it left me wanting more! I definitely was scratching my head with the characters. How did this work? More importantly, what does it mean for this newly blended family. It has all the makings of a sitcom or, honestly, a drama. I’d read more of this…
I really like the way you incorperated the prompt here, and also agree that I’d read more of this. Great job!
Fun premise! I really like your use of the prompt! Great job!
Interesting take for sure. Oh, to be a fly on that wall, he he.
Team 1