Categotry Archives: Flash
Shattered
The vase shattered. Ruth was so sure of her grip, and yet the evidence was irrefutable. She rubbed her arthritic old hands thoughtfully. “Oh no! How horrible!” Inga scuttled out of the kitchen. “Don’t move! I’ll get that cleaned up right away.” The maid brought a broom. Ruth considered how long she could hold off before putting out another one of Ted’s ugly vases and how soon she should call the doctor. Ruth bit her lip. “No need to be […]
Sleepy Hollow Take 2
Old man Matheson flicked his rod, letting the line out fast so the floater could land in the river’s current. That should get the hook and fly into the eddy far enough away that his daughter’s shouts wouldn’t disturb the fish. Not that it mattered. Really, he should probably shout back to her, calling her to enjoy this glorious sunset. But sunsets were for quiet, and thinking of all the times you were too foolish to take them in, and […]
Sleepy Hollow
Liam, Alicia, and Sally walked home from school along the twisting dirt road. Already the days grew short and cold. The ordinary became spooky. “I heard there is a haunted tree along here,” Alicia glanced over her shoulder. “Oh! I know just the one. It’s right around the bend.” Sally pointed ahead. “Who are you trying to fool with a story like that.” Liam sneered, but he also walked faster. “Whoooo!” called an owl from the depths of the hollow […]
Ship of Fools
While the party raged below decks, Anita considered her next art showing. It wold be in SoHo, of course. If only she had some idea what to put in it. Despite the balmy, moonlit night, all she could think of were out of season icebergs, homicidal gun collectors, and crazy presidents. By the time she’d made enough pieces to show, would there be a world left? “That’s it!” She shouted, overturning her deck chair. “Zombies! Everyone loves zombies.” The Challenge: […]
Daily Spy Thriller
Matt slipped out the hidden door to the tin roof of the tenement building. The door groaned and chattered closed before the lock clicked home. He paused to be sure no one heard. No sound came from inside. No motion from outside. The clerk of the Quickmart gave him an odd look as he rang up the chips and cigarettes, but none of Matt’s enemies came to thwart him in his quest to free the universe of tyranny and hunger. […]
What Friends Are For
“I was in a hurry, so I just shoved my feet into my shoes. And then, you’ll never guess – I felt something move. Inside my shoe! It was….” Alicia paused a moment so she could have a big reveal. “It was a spider.” Sally didn’t even pause as she was rummaged through her medicine chest. “How did you know?” “I saw those shoes yesterday when I was over at your place. They were full of spider webs.” “Oh, you’re […]
Eat Your Heart Out
Kimberly cut another slice from the loaf even though the bread was still too warm, and kind of squished. “Not more health food!” Matt stomped around in the kitchen behind her. “All you feed me is rocks and twigs! Can’t we have real food once in a while? Why do you feed me this anyway?” She had planned on slathering on some homemade jam, but seeing the hole in the bread, she changed her mind. She held it up to […]
Weather Permitting
“Is there really a place to camp here?” Carol looked over the hillside. Even if they found a flat spot, everything was covered in sage brush. “Just a little further.” Martin kept up a steady trudge. “We should go back. It look like rain.” She let her distaste out in her voice. “Rain. Beautiful rain. If only it had rained more five years ago. Then this would all still be woods and we would have already set up camp.” “Ah. […]
Relative Values
“You have got to be kidding me. A million bucks for this? The place is a wreck! Daddy, why on earth do you want me to buy it?” Anita glowered at the ivy covered walls. She already had a villa in New Hampshire and a chateau in France. This was supposed to be an artist’s retreat for her and her boyfriend. “I thought you might get a place we both could enjoy.” “You like this?” Anita quirked an eyebrow. “Sure.” […]
A Thousand Words Unsaid
Marge didn’t feel like waiting for her laptop to finish booting before she went to the bathroom. When she came back out, Jane sat at the little hotel desk, staring at the screen saver. “Is this from the eclipse? Wasn’t that something? A bunch of us flew in to Idaho for it. There were tailgate parties everywhere, but I don’t remember seeing anyone set up a tent. I wish I could take pictures as good as yours.” “That isn’t one […]
After a Very Long Flight
“We were lucky! We got the fanciest hotel room in the city!” Jane looked smug as she threw her suitcase on the only luggage rack in the rather ordinary looking place. “I’m beat,” Marge muttered. “I just want a long, hot soak in a tub.” “Tub? Oh.” Jane backed away from the bathroom door. There was only room inside for a tiny shower. “They don’t really do tubs in Iceland. You’re supposed to go to a public bath.” Marge flopped […]
Vacation
“Do you have to go?” Fred eyed the growing mound of paperwork. “I lost the bet.” Marge finished printing off her flight confirmation. “Believe me. I don’t want to travel with Jane anymore, but what can I do?” “Did you have to make the bet?” “If I won… I really wanted that mask….” Marge looked thoughtful for a minute, then grabbed her flight bag from under her desk. “I’ve won so many bets; reached the top of the Rock of […]
The Funeral
It was a simple ceremony. The ashes were scattered on a nearby hill. The friends gave the next of kin – all one of her – a lifetime supply of hot dogs and weed. Even the ex showed up, though she spent the whole time in a parked car on the road. Of the friends, there were many, with not a dry eye to be found. Afterward, they all looked at their own stashes, and worried about what was cut […]
Call Home
“I don’t see Mom anywhere.” Alicia stopped so suddenly that her suitcase rolled right into her. “What do we do?” “Call her. Maybe she’s on her way.” Chloe stepped around Alicia, letting her own suitcase come to a natural stop right before the baggage claim exit. “I can’t! My battery is dead.” “I’m sure we can find a….” “You’re right! There’s a pay phone right there!” Alicia ran off. Chloe had actually been thinking about pulling a MacGyver in an […]
Ticking Clocks
Alice slaved over the numbers. Every time the equity balanced, the income didn’t. Without even this rudimentary level of accounting, how could she hope to complete the tax forms? Finally finished, she double checked the address. The likelihood that congress would chose to change something so basic was low, but the laws change every year. Best to check. Yep. Same address as the last ten years. Her eyes slid down the instructions by a few paragraphs. There the changes for […]
