Hugh J. O'Donnell

The family was incredibly competitive, and they were at their worst during the holidays. They squabbled over everything from who bought the best gifts to who made the best dish for Christmas Dinner.
She’d been working on her figgy pudding recipe for months. She soaked the fruit in the fanciest brandy she could find, and bathed the dessert in more liquor leading up to the feast. She crowned it with holly and gold leaf.
Her family was stunned as she brought out the dish, and with an air of satisfaction lit the match.
The resulting fireball was visible for miles.

“flaming christmas pudding” by Steve A Johnson is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

My very short story collection, The Mountain’s Shadow is available now from Amazon and Smashwords!

Everyday Drabbles © 2024 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

It was the trickiest chimney Saint Nick ever encountered. Sometimes people left a fire going, and he’d dealt with poorly positioned poker stands, but he’d never come across a trapped fireplace before.
The maze of flues was interesting but easily solved. The drone was unexpected, but Santa has power of all toys. He was overconfident when he reached the net in the grate, but he was able to extricate himself.
The list was the list, and Santa Claus didn’t play favorites, but he felt just a bit of satisfaction as he placed coal and socks beneath the supervillain’s Christmas tree.

“Fireplace” by kalleboo is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

My very short story collection, The Mountain’s Shadow is available now from Amazon and Smashwords!

Everyday Drabbles © 2024 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

The cocoa recipe was surprisingly complex, calling for a whole bar of deluxe chocolate, whipped cream, and a even homemade marshmallows. She followed it to the letter and had the grocery bill and the sink full of dirty dishes to prove it.
It was a luxurious, decadent, ultimate cocoa that she had made herself. She poured the concoction into her favorite mug and took photographs for her social media, feeling pride in a job well done.
She took a sip.
The drink was delicious, but it was missing something. The hot chocolate of her childhood was still an instant powder.

“Hot Chocolate Love” by Theo Crazzolara is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

My very short story collection, The Mountain’s Shadow is available now from Amazon and Smashwords!

Everyday Drabbles © 2024 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

The Gingerbread Man was getting older. He didn’t want to admit it, but he could feel it in his crumb.
He wasn’t as fast as he used to be. His frosting wasn’t as soft as it once was, and he’d lost a gumdrop button somewhere.
He pushed himself, trying to make his body believe he was only as stale as he felt. He heard a sharp snap, and felt his leg crumble underneath him.
The baker was able to save the leg with quick application of royal icing, but the Gingerbread Man would have to walk with a candy cane.

“Homemade gingerbread man” by Ross Dunn is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

My very short story collection, The Mountain’s Shadow is available now from Amazon and Smashwords!

Everyday Drabbles © 2024 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 

The maiden stood awkwardly in the doorway, as though she were waiting for someone. He hoped that it wasn’t him, although she was very pretty.
He was busy enough with his work, and the holidays always made everything so much more hectic. He just didn’t have time for anything else, particularly not romance.
But he was no coward. She smiled as he approached, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind an ear.
“I’m standing under the mistletoe,” she said, pointing up.
“Well, that’s me stuck then,” he said.
As they kissed, Baldr knew she would be the death of him.

“mistletoe” by DafneCholet is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

My very short story collection, The Mountain’s Shadow is available now from Amazon and Smashwords!

Everyday Drabbles © 2024 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 

When the Cleric slipped and broke her leg, the rest of the party panicked for a minute. It was a bad break. You could see the shattered bone beneath her skin.
The Thief had checked twice for traps, declared it safe, and then she took a skid on wet stone.
We all relied on her for healing, and none of us knew what to do when she was the one who needed help. We always just assumed she would be alright.
As we slung together a liter to get her back to civilization, I decided to take first aid training.

“Dungeon” by Dave Hamster is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

My very short story collection, The Mountain’s Shadow is available now from Amazon and Smashwords!

Everyday Drabbles © 2024 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 

When the blight came, we burned our crops. It would be a hard winter, but hunger was better than what became of you from eating the strange fungus.
That winter, we rationed our stores, trying to make them last. But every day they dwindled, and we knew it wouldn’t be enough.
By Solstice we were trapped inside, buried by the driving snow. We huddled in the dark and listened to the howling wind and other things outside: Our neighbors, gone made or worse from eating tainted grain.
I thanked God we burned our harvest.
Then I heard my wife chewing.

“ergot” by Stiller Beobachter is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

My very short story collection, The Mountain’s Shadow is available now from Amazon and Smashwords!

Everyday Drabbles © 2024 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0