Categotry Archives: Fiction
From the Porch
Trigvey gave the screwdriver a turn. It slipped from the screw and gouged the ceiling boards of the front porch. The ladder under him shifted and clattered. “Here, let me do that.” Diana set down a tray holding two glasses and a pitcher of lemonade. “You’re a lot better with a scalpel than with a screwdriver.” “I’ll do it. I’m the man of the house.” “I bet you wouldn’t say that to Suzie.” “No one tells Suzie what to do. […]
Suzie’s House 393 : Walter
“He knew.” Walter nodded to himself. “Right from the beginning, he knew.” It happened fifty years ago, but Walter couldn’t seem to make himself let it go. Of all the things he and Martin did together, signing up to serve in Viet Nam was probably the dumbest. Venomous snakes, devious enemies, and friends who turned on you filled the place.
Broke
Previously in Jack and Jill: No one thinks grandpa can handle babysitting grandkid without sending her home with a pocket full of money The theme for this week’s Jack and Jill is “broke” as suggested by Brian Miller Want to see what I can do with a word or phrase? Make a suggestion. I guess this one is a little obscure. What’s your guess?
Suzie’s House 392 : One Sided Conversation
Vin could feel his resolve wilt. He had finally accepted full responsibility for his party in Drew’s problems, but faced with Drew’s blank stare, he couldn’t seem to come up with a game plan. “Drew. Drew, you there?” Vin snapped his fingers in front of Drew’s face a time or two. No reaction, not even a shiver.
Switch
Liam, Alicia, and Sally sat around in Alicia’s half-finished basement. “Not much to look at, is it,” Sally said. “How many more years until your father turns this into a den?” “Who knows.” Alicia shrugged. “Well, I think it’s fine the way it is. No one but us wants to come here even though there’s a mini fridge and a couch and even a TV. Think about it.” He jumped onto the arm of the broken down sofa and struck […]
Suzie’s House 391 : The Flip of a Switch
“So what exactly were you thinking? What happened to you, man?” Vin leaned forward until he could feel the hard edge hidden inside the fluff of the overstuffed chair in Suzie’s den. “I guess I owe you that.” Drew frowned at the floor. “I told you I couldn’t face Suzie.”
The Big Picture
Becky’s daddy is a photographer for a big magazine. He goes all over the world to places with wars and disasters, and what her mommy calls, “the worries of the world”. When he isn’t gone, he likes to go out on the lake in an old boat he says he’s had forever. When he is gone Becky goes out to the boat in the yard and plays pirate. One day he came home in time to get a picture. It’s […]
Suzie’s House 390 : To Get a Question in Sideways
Justin waited until Kate jammed her drum sticks into her back pocket before he quit messing with the shakeree. There was something he wanted to talk to her about. When she left the band’s practice room, he was right behind her.
Proper Place
Fork on the left. Knife on the right turned with the sharp edge toward the plate so no one could be accidentally cut. Then comes the spoon, then soup spoon, salad fork, desert fork. He remembered all the details from his years of service as a butler. He set four places – as many as his humble table would hold. Once done, he stood by the window, and took in the view. Fifty years of service for a gold watch […]
Suzie’s House 389 : Relating to the Song
The catty part of Kate noticed that Emma didn’t have any problem singing the song even without a bag over her head or mask. She even looked appropriate with her tearful eyes. It was obvious that Emma genuinely related to every word.
Hitching a Ride
“This is great! Isn’t this great?” The kid grinned like he knew Toby, even though they’d met on this misbegotten corner of Chicago only half an hour ago. “Hitchhiking Historic Route 66.” The kid seemed to think is was safe just because he wasn’t a girl. Well, he must be in his early twenties and topped Toby by at least six inches. He had a pathetic excuse for a beard, and shaggy hair but about as much street smarts as […]
Suzie’s House 388 : Electric News
Kate walked into band practice with a brand new pair of drum sticks and a great little piece of gossip she’d love to share. The night before she’d seen Stephanie Eingle in the parking lot of East Town Mall kissing a boy that had to have been in high school at least, of not college. Maybe no one else in the band would care, but Emma would. Emma always nodded like a bobble head and agreed with everything.
Whacha Looking At
“Hey. Whacha looking at?” Alicia came up next to Sally in the barn. “You don’t want to know.” Sally waved her off, but stayed in a crouch. “Is it kittens again? I love kittens.” Alicia gave Sally a little shove. “Seriously. You don’t want to know.” Sally shoved back, but not hard. “That isn’t fair! Let me see. Let me see.” Alicia hopped in place. “All right, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Sally stepped back. Alicia crouched to […]
Suzie’s House 387 : After Noon in a Motel Room
When James opened his eyes, a hang-over headache nailed him right in the middle of his forehead. He fell back against clean sheets with a groan. Odd. He was pretty sure his sheets had become a bit crusty over the last couple of weeks. He didn’t let Mom in to clean because he was afraid she’d find his pot stash, but he wasn’t willing to do it himself, either. There was something nice about lying in a clean bed. Almost, […]
Close
Matt and Martin met on the South River Walkway. Martin was taking pictures of some trash left by receding waters. “Documenting the travesties of the Capitalist System,” Matt asked. “Documenting the loss of bird habitat,” Martin answered. “Same thing.” “Not necessarily. You don’t have to overthrow the government to clean up a habitat. Although the way the city council ignores the issue….” “Of course we have to overthrow the government! Only a completely new form of government will solve all […]
