Every week we post six lines from a work of ours, a work-in-progress or published or a recommendation of someone else’s work with at least one LGBT character. Posted at Rainbow Snippets here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/963484217054974

The prompt pic (above) was one I took in New Mexico on my recent travels. The Continental Divide is the elevated point where water drains toward the Atlantic on one side and the Pacific on the other. The marker was too good not to use for a story.

As for whether my characters are LGBT, I think they probably would have a much different definition of gender. Of course I called my story “Continental Divide” https://authorjeffbaker.com/2024/06/21/continental-divide-welcome-back-friday-flash-fics-for-june-21st-2024-by-jeff-baker/ but the title has more than the geographical meaning.

“Over here,” Dad/Mom said, actually walking on the road. “Just a short ways.”

I followed him/her, breathing in uncycled air and feeling the flat, hard road under my shoes.

“Right here,” Dad/Mom said. There was a large sign, almost as tall as Dad/Mom and taller than me just off the road. It was some kind of sturdy board. “Do you read Murcan?”

“Of course,” I said. “I did my Languology last year.” I stared at the board. “But this is Ancient Languology. Old Murcan.”

A little more than six lines, but too good not to use. Here’s more.

I studied the words. The Ancient words were slightly different but not that hard to read.

Continental Divide

Elevation 7,295 feet

Rainfall divides at this point

To the West it drains

Into the Pacific Ocean

And the remaining words were worn away. Maybe by the curious feeling antiquity with their fingers.

And we leave it there. Next week, we celebrate a holiday a bit late in Hudson City. —jeff