A Short Story: Bumper Sticker Money

Author’s Note: The short story below is the thirteenth in an ongoing series. If you’ve been following along, you’ll know that I’ve been diving into a treasure trove of writing prompts as a source of creative inspiration. The process is pretty simple: I take two cards, blend them together, and write whatever comes to mind. This week’s topic: “bumper sticker offers excellent advice” and “grandparent.” Read on and enjoy! I’d love for this to be an interactive experience, so if the mood strikes, take a crack at your own story in the comments!

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“Look, Johnny. An airplane is making a streak in the sky.”

“I see that, Grannie. Very cool.” John Sanders slowed the car and snuck a peek at his grandmother seated beside him, gazing at the world beyond her window. He smiled and squeezed her hand. “What else do you see, Grannie?”

“There’s a bird there. A bluebird,” she replied, fingernail tapping delicately against the window. “And look, Johnny! An airplane is making a streak in the sky.”

“That’s right, Grannie. I see that.” His expression changed as he drove on. John loved his grandmother very much; a woman who looked after him as a child while both of his parents worked full-time jobs to help keep the lights on and the rent paid. She took him to school, picked him up, and now, 30 years…