Categotry Archives: Fiction
Staying Strong
He came to us because too many friends said he would be happier, friendlier, safer, better with a little therapy. We gave him a questionnaire. Every answer said he was happy. We asked him the same questions. Every answer said he was fine. We sat down to talk, just talk and he burst into tears. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is hosted by the G-man, […]
Suzie’s House 279 : Band Meeting
Bruce didn’t think much of the house where Gene lived now. The place he lived before, back when he lived with the old drunk, had to be less than half as old, and it wasn’t brand new or anything. He knew some people got into these creaky old houses, but Bruce wasn’t one of them.
Sign of the Times
“What is the world coming to,” Grandma used to say. The news at 6, the latest fashions, the shift in the cultural paradigm. For everything, a grunt and a shake of the head. I laughed. It’s just the way of the world. But now, I too, have come to wonder. “What’ll they come up with next?” The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is hosted by the […]
Suzie’s House 278 : 24 Hours?
What a long day. Gene crawled into bed and didn’t even bother to turn his mp3 player on. Too tired. He scrunched down into the blankets. What was that word Tracy used? Nestle? Only she said it like the chocolate instead of the word that made him think of little birds in a nest. It was like that other word she kept messing up. The one for liquor, only not. Oh, right. Absolute. She kept saying ablute. Was that even […]
Stolen Milk
Usually she waits until the bowl is abandoned to jump on the table and have her way with the milk. But sometimes, over-bold, she tries to take it from a lap. She acts as though she only wanted petting, then makes a play for the bowl. Then Miss Kitty finds herself in the cold with no milk at all. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is […]
Suzie’s House 277 : What is a Beta Read?
“What’s a beta read,” Lisa asked. She sat at my kitchen table with an air of determination as she tried to convince me to take her on. I took a bite of bread while I thought of how to answer. Seems like simple things are always the hardest to describe.
Little Girl, Little Girl
She stood with her back against the red brick of a down-town shop eyes on an arguing couple. After a few minutes, she walked right between them. “No one knows I am here,” she said. “I am ninja. You can’t see me.” She walked away, oblivious to all the bewildered gazes that followed. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is hosted by the G-man, a host […]
Suzie’s House 276: Lisa and Mrs. Audrey
“It’s all right, isn’t it? That I brought her with me?” “Of course,” I said. I smiled at Lisa, but didn’t offer my hand. I’m not opposed to shaking hands, but I never start it. Seems I can never get that right, so I just leave it up to others. If you want to shake my hand, fine. If not, I won’t even notice. Apparently Lisa considered it necessary, because she stuck out her hand, took it back before I […]
Talking to Walls
Can I confess to you? I know we hardly know one another. You are always busy and so am I, And maybe that’s the problem. I’ve outrun my life – left behind all connection to friends and family until there is nothing left but this hollow house and the cats. And a career that is too gone-to-seed for future glory. Now, I have little to say, but maybe if I tell you all about it something will come up. The […]
Suzie’s House 275 : Bruce
Bruce left his buddies leaning against the wall and walked to the middle of the hall as Gene, Tracy, and Justin got there. He put himself right in front of Gene and puffed out his chest like the bully he was. Weird. Gene was sure Bruce knew better than to get in his face. It’s not like they were enemies, but they weren’t exactly friends either. Bruce mostly hung out with his gang, and Gene used to always be by […]
Misstep
Getting cheated feels like Missing the first step at the top of the stairs foot hovering over air, heart thumping, pain awaiting. How bad will the fall be? What can be salvage? Then every step to the bottom is another chance to be hurt. Clinging to the railing and feeling Like such a fool. Such an idiot. And from then on, the whole world is a staircase. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story […]
Suzie’s House 274 : Heart Pounding Madness – the Secret Life of Emma
How could she do it? How could Kate be so bold? Emma had sat in the chairs of the orchestra room during the audition with her heart in her throat. Even though it was only her friend up there in front of all these people, Emma’s hands had shook. Kate was so brave, muscling her way to the front to play the drums before the other drummers, and going on and on until they made her stop. She hadn’t dropped […]
You Can
“I can’t, I can’t” chanting in her head made her trip and fall, stop, and stall. All it needed were baby steps but the thought of moving forward scared her so badly she could only tip and fall, stop, and stall. Mountains could be reduced to mole hills one step at a time, if she would just stop tripping and falling stopping and stalling. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 […]
Suzie’s House 273 : Meanwhile Lisa Was….
Bundled up in scarf and gloves with her coat buttoned all the way to the top, Lisa couldn’t get warm. She walked fast as much to keep up with Ben as to stay warm. “How much further?” “Not far,” Ben said, but he’d been saying that since Tenney Park. “Maybe a couple blocks. Seems shorter in the Summer.”
Hearts Trump Shadows
Bring your heart to the table. The world has become dark and mean because so many chose to leave theirs on the nightstand. Don’t put it on your sleeve. No one wants to see it there. Just bring it to your face when you’re out and about, and have it handy when we meet. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is hosted by the G-man, a […]
