Categotry Archives: Fiction
Suzie’s House 254: To Jostle a Remnant of Memory
Gene thought about hiding so Mrs. H. wouldn’t catch him watching, but then his jaw got tight and his back bunched up. He told himself he wasn’t mad, but he didn’t hide at all. So right after kissing that guy, that lawyer guy, she turned around and there he was, standing in the window with his arms crossed, looking right at her.
55 – When They are Young
She: Stop it! We’ll get caught. He: Oh, come on, Baby. We’re consenting adults. Why can’t we? She: Because the kids are home. They’ll ask questions. He: Who knew we’d have more trouble getting it on when we’re married than we did as teenagers? 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 with the most.
Suzie’s House 253 : The Mistaken Impulse
Jeff liked to think he was diligent in his attorney-client relations, house calls to Mrs. Hammacker not withstanding. He nurtured his business relations carefully, often at the expense of anything resembling a private life. His focus on family law tended to put him in awkward positions. So he was used to acting as an amateur psychologist. He liked to think he handled it well. This he wasn’t handling well at all.
55 – The Next Turn
It’s always the bend in the road that keeps him driving. On the long straight-aways, he can see that there is nothing waiting for him; no new discovery, no returning friend, no unexpected bakeries. But curves hide many things. They are full of tempting potential. 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 with the most.
Suzie’s House 252: On Her Own
“Jeff, this has been very helpful. Thank you for coming over. More soup?” Suzie grabbed the ladle in the tureen of chowder. Grateful to her lawyer for making house calls, she wanted to show her appreciation however she could. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. As long as you feed me this well, I’m glad to give what advice I can, but for a professional opinion, you’ll have to come in to the office.” He held his […]
55 – Separation
Unraveling after the death like a rope turning into grief-torn wisps The hot tears of never-going-to-see-her-again splashing on passers by as if a funeral couldn’t possibly contain the torrent. She cried for her brother because – numb, unraveling, dieing with their mother he could not cry for himself. Grief splashes on a future that isn’t. 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 251 : Customs Agent
Some deviant walked into the airport in Juarez, Mexico with a black suitcase in his hand, but instead of checking the bag, he carried it straight to one of the rooms in emigration set aside to search for contraband. Even before security caught up with him he was unzipping the case. “Here’s the….” The man, a gringo by look and the fact he spoke English, stared at the ordinary contents as if amazed. “Huh. It’s nothing but clothes.” He moved […]
55 – Plenty of Room
“It’s my chair! Get out!” Lucy screamed at her brother. “Not it’s not! It’s Grandma’s chair.” “That’s right,” Grandmother said. “Now if the two of you will move, I’d like to sit down.” The kids scrambled to reply. As soon as she sat down, they scrambled into her lap, one child per knee. Always plenty of room in Grandmother’s lap. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 […]
Suzie’s House 250 : Luggage
“Huh. Well, look at that. It’s my suitcase.” Drew stared at the black bag sitting in the middle of the floor. Sitting in the middle of the first floor of what had once been a grand department store with sunlight streaming through the broken out front doors as if to spotlight it, his FBI-suitable case had a sadly forlorn look to it. “Was it there before?”
55 – Almost a Hero
Ben slashed violently, but the monster would not die. Every member of his party fell at least once, and if not for hasty medical attention would have died. It took hours, but at last they had their foe down to his last breath, but before Ben could execute the final blow, his mother unplugged the game. 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 249: Across a Sea of Asphalt
Everything here stretched and contracted like elastic. Drew knew for sure the grimy bakery window wasn’t really a rippling stream and the grit riding on top of the cracked sidewalk wasn’t really quicksand. He wasn’t sinking into the ground. He wasn’t. As to the two men speaking Spanish, he suspected they were real, but until this episode passed, he couldn’t be sure.
The Wall
It comes up fast like April 15th unexpected in a predictable way. Surely the road must end with such an overwhelming obstacle, the weight of everything left undone, receipts lost, memories misplaced, deadline so squarely looming ahead. The desperate scramble, the last minute swerve and all becomes right with the world save a lingering heart palpitation or two. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is hosted […]
Suzie’s House 248: Mr. Magoo
“Hey, who is that hombre?” Carlos gestured with the end of his rifle. “What man? Ah, in front of La Panaderia?” Juan barely glanced. He kept his attention on the ruin of the old Décor building on the other side of an enormous, cracked and pot-hole ridden parking lot. If he let himself get distracted, Los Guerreros del Perro would take them out. “Si’, that one. What is he doing?”
55 – From the Shelter of Love
From deep inside this love – a lifetime of warmth and consideration – it’s easy to view the world as my oyster. What would make me cry for weeks is now but a moment’s sniffles. All tribulations fall to this delicious cushion. Though I know it’s the same for him, I can not thank him enough. 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 247: Finding a Story
Ben sat in front of his laptop and stared at a blank screen. A few month ago this would have freaked him out, but now he was used to it. Mrs. Audrey said that staring into space is part of writing too. So it was ok if the screen stayed blank for a while. Knowing that made it easier to write.
