Worse than ants, worse than soured milk. Worse than forgotten forks.

The drone of the helicopter ambulance roared in their bellies the closer it came. It set down in the field, sending the banner that read CELEBRATING 50 YEARS soaring over their heads.

It was clear the party was over.

Ashley Hutson has been published in Hedge Apple Magazine and was a finalist in this year’s Lascaux 250 Flash Fiction contest. She lives in Sharpsburg, MD.