June 27: Flash Fiction Challenge

/ Tien Skye
close up colors concrete exterior

Photo by Steve Johnson on Pexels.com

Perfect Paint Product

I looked at the botched paint job. I could have hired professionals but I insisted on doing it myself. I started scrapping away at the paint and started sobbing.

“What are you doing, son?”

“That was a lousy paint job and I just want to repaint it!”

He frowned as he processed my blubbering. “You want to repaint the entire wall because of that small mistake? Besides, the table goes there and it will cover up that section.”

“I want a perfect job! I just can’t let it go!”

He stared at me for a moment. “Can’t? Or won’t?”

(99 words)

I’m always a bit of a perfectionist, to the point of obsession when I would rather not start on a project for fear of not doing a fantastic job. I would not say I have outgrown that tendency but I think I am starting to cope with it better.

I would backslide every now and then, especially in my work when I’m preparing teaching materials for my class. That gives me unnecessary stress as I become overly hard on myself and I would just break down.

I really need to learn not to be a perfectionist and let things go at times…

If you are interested, the prompt is linked below.

June 27, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that involves paint. It can be fresh, peeling or in need of a coat. What is being painted and why? Go where the prompt leads!

Respond by July 3, 2019. Use the comment section below to share, read, and be social. You may leave a link, pingback, or story in the comments. If you want to be published in the weekly collection, please use the form.  Rules & Guidelines.

Prompt: June 27: Flash Fiction Challenge

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12 thoughts on “June 27: Flash Fiction Challenge”

  1. I sympathise with the perfectionist in you. It’s the devil’s own job to kick it into quiescence. I’m not sure mine has yet submitted, though it has been a while since I’ve screamed and wrapped my arms around my head.

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  3. This was me, painting my house! And we had to do it in patchwork process because we were only tackling the peeling places. It was hard to let go of that want to do a perfect job, and paint is so unforgiving of mistakes — one slop here and that’s it. I like the father’s approach.

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    • Thank you! I can understand the dilemma. On one hand, you just want it painted; on the other hand, you really wish to scrap off all the peeling parts, clean it properly before repainting…the struggle is real 🙂

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  4. Pingback: Paint « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

  5. Cut out that bit of drywall and frame it. White on white – good composition – it’s art. Hang it in a gallery and it would sell in no time.
    Walls can always be patched.

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