Categotry Archives: Fiction
Suzie’s House 386 : What To Do With a Drunk
“What do we do?” Emma’s mother stared down at James as if he had turned into a lethargic crocodile that had crawled into her kitchen. “We put him to bed and talk to him in the morning,” Emma’s father made it all sound so reasonable. “Right.” Emma said with all the bitterness she felt. For once, she didn’t care if she sounded blunt.
The Chatter of Seeds
The snow got in Matt’s socks as he slogged his way to the money tree. Paper thin, silver dollar sized pods wrapped around mustard seed sized cores rattled dryly in the winter breeze. He grabbed the brittle branches and gave it a shake to loosen the weight of snow. Cold filled the gap between jacket and glove. “This is a perfect analogy for the cold and unfeeling modern economic climate and the travesty of capitalism.” He couldn’t wait to share […]
Suzie’s House 385 : Reeling
James had had a little too much to drink, but it wasn’t bothering him any. He pulled into the driveway too fast and ended up parked with the driver’s side on the grass. He tripped on grass and fell when he got out. No one was looking. He jumped up all jubilant acting, and rubbed the grass off his T-shirt, then looked around again with a silly grin because a silly grin would get him out of any trouble. No […]
Following the Signs
“Where are we going today?” Alicia skipped backwards. “The movies? A restaurant? Shopping?” “You make it sound like we’re going on a date.” Liam grumbled as he turned at the detour sign. “Shouldn’t we? Go on a date, I mean.” “No!” He crossed the lawn to the library. “I have told you many a time that I can not return your love, for I already love another.” “Not the library! I don’t want to go there.” Alicia followed a step […]
Suzie’s House 384 : The Extent of Distrust
She was serious. Ethan’s body froze. “No.” He fumbled the soup bowl in his hand, but managed to setting it safely on the kitchen counter. “No, I don’t want you to move out. You or Emma. You know I love you both.”
Tired
He snapped and growled at anyone who came too close to his junk yard, as surly as his dog. “Leave them tires alone! It might look like junk to you, but it’s valuable to me. Did you know I once built a house out of tires like these? Fill ‘em with dirt and they’ll keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Don’t be trying to throw ‘em out!” One day someone stole his car. He didn’t […]
Suzie’s House 383 : Innocent Until Proven Guilty
When her daughter came home and announced that she wanted to move out, Sophie went into full denial. She knew it was denial, but she couldn’t seem to make herself focus on the issues. So she found an excuse to pretend nothing was happening while Emma barricaded herself in her room and waited for Ethan to come home. Better Ethan than James.
Suzie’s House 382 : Emmy, Get Out of Your Head
Emma tried not to think of anything too malignant while riding home with her brother. The drive would only take a few minutes, but she was sure he’d manage to say something nasty before they reached the house.
Custom Detailing
“I want something really unique,” said Liam to his uncle. He spread his hands and gestured the humongousness of the concept. “Sure, a Studebaker has a certain cache, and a Ferrari has style, but neither of them are really truly unique. I want something that goes beyond the social norms. Something that even Mom would never mistake for her car. Dad said I should talk to you about it.” “I think I have just the car for you. Follow me.” […]
Suzie’s House 381 : When You Already Know
Emma let the gossamer curtains in Lisa’s living room fall back. She was pretty sure her brother hadn’t seen her peeping at him. He’d walked past the house three times so far, but didn’t seem inclined to knock on the door. Maybe it would all be all right after all.
Three Chairs
“Grandma, what’s the scariest thing you’ve ever seen?” He curled up closer as the two watched a vampire movie. “Three chairs.” “Whaaat?! That’s not right. Tell me the truth.” “Oh, no, it wasn’t the chairs themselves. It was what they meant. I went to a café with three of my closest friends, but the café was attacked by terrorists. They told us they would kill anyone who didn’t sit down. There were only three chairs.”
Suzie’s House 380 : Storm Clouds
Stephanie was rounding the long sweep of John Nolan Drive right between the two lakes when she spotted the funny cloud. Funny as in suspicious. The way that particular black nub Ved down was probably just a fluke. Though still early in Summer, they really shouldn’t be seeing too many funnel clouds now. Then again it seemed like the warning sirens were going off more and more lately.
Pictures of a Descent
Martin squinted through the camera, checking the auto focus and framing, even through it was all futile. There wasn’t a single bird to be seen on the lake today. Not one. A couple hundred years ago there would have been thousands of ducks on their annual migration. Imagine it! The grace, freedom, and flurry of wings all around. When Martin tried to imagine it, he always thought of a puzzle with half the pieces gone. No big picture. He took […]
Suzie’s House 379 : Written By Committee
Gene stretched his leg out and accidentally kicked Emma. She hopped off his bed for a minute, looked around his room, and settled on the floor. Tracy tried to move the guitar off her lap and slapped him in the chest with it. “Sorry,” she muttered without even looking at him. “There’s no room in here,” Ben grumbled as he got off the floor. He accidentally stepped on Bruce, who grunted. “And I need to get some writing done anyway. […]
Workshop
“Mom. Hey, Mom. Look what I made. It’s for school. Everything is laid out just right. And it looks good, too.” Fred ran to the kitchen to get his mother. “I’m busy.” “I’d bring it in to you, but the glue is still wet and things will fall off. Come on, come on, come on. You’re only doing dishes anyway.” “All right.” She dried her hands on a dish towel, then followed him. “Do you see it? Do you see […]
