Categotry Archives: Fiction
The Sound of a Flower
“Hey, Mom. What’s the sound of a flower opening?” “It’s the drip of spring rain, the humid kiss of a promise, the “sorry” of a wayward husband, the buzz of bees and the click of a casket closing.” “No. Really, is it a swick or more of a swoosh. I need it for a video I’m making.” . . The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is […]
Suzie’s House 309 : Eating Alone
The big table where Tracy and Gene sometimes had their band meetings at lunch time didn’t have anyone sitting at it. It made Emma nervous and exposed, but she set her tray there right at the very end and sat down. It felt like everyone was looking at her. And not in the grand, movie-star way she liked to imagine.
Smirking
“Everyone is smirking.” Theresa glared as she huddled against the bridge railing “Relax,” Old Man Michael handed her the harness. “They’re just remembering the first time they did it. Put that on.” “Are you sure they don’t think I’m crazy?” “If they do, then they’re even crazier. They’ve all bungee jumped before.” 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 […]
Suzie’s House 308 : Food, Fibs, and Friends
“Why is the cafeteria food always so putrid?” Alisha dropped her fork to the tray, making Emma flinch. “I know. Right? I crave real food. Like Chinese or something.” Katy picked at her food with a disgusted look on her face. “They had that Chow Mein stuff last week.” Kate shoveled in whatever the lunch ladies wanted to call the glop they were supposed to eat today like it was no problem.
Posting
“I can’t go yet. I have to hurry up and get my post ready.” “What post?” “Fiction Friday 55.” “Wait, it’s Friday already? How did that happen? I was sure it was still Thursday.” “It IS Thursday. Thursday night, which is when Fiction Friday 55 begins. You know how it goes. In the Internet, Friday begins on Thursday night.” The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is […]
Suzie’s House 307 : Totally Different
That band the kids had formed was practicing in Suzie’s parlor when Miranda dragged herself home. It was pretty late, but there was no sign of Vin yet, and the only sign of Suzie was a cake and a pile of cookies on a cooling rack. Miranda settled at the kitchen table with a glass of milk and plate of cookies. It made her feel young.
When the Potato Screamed
“I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with being a vegetarian. Honest. But don’t you think it’s a little elitist? Plants have feelings, you know. Consider the potatoes you put in the oven half an hour ago. They might still be alive. Cooking them is what’s killing them.” “Potatoes can’t feel.” That’s when the potato in the oven popped and steamed. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 […]
Suzie’s House 306 : Dinner and a Movie
“It’s good.” Vin held his fork at a dubious angle. His New York strip gleamed red and juicy, just the way he liked it, but he didn’t look all that happy about it. “Yeah.” Miranda cut into her seared duck breast with about the same enthusiasm. They’d been to a dozen restaurants in as many days. Before moving in with Suzie she’d done this routinely. “But…” “…It isn’t as good as what Suzie makes.” Vin said at the same time […]
Right Before the Bell
“Mom, be careful when you go past the high school or you’ll run over one of those stupid teenagers.” “You’re a teenager,” Mom pointed out. “Not like these. Bye!” She hopped out of the car right in front of the front doors. Not two seconds later, a herd of late teenagers ran across the road like deer. “Thank God she’s not like those,” Mom muttered. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly […]
Suzie’s House 305 : Fitting in Backstage
“What do you want.” Bruce made it sound more like an accusation than a question. Tracy shrugged. “I was just curious.” Which was the truth. She’d sat in the theater after the guys all marched out and thought about it, then thought some more. They all went out with a signal from Bruce, all at the same time. They acted shifty as they left and even as they went in to see the Passion Pit concert. No matter how she […]
The Easter Bunny Caper
It was a tragedy. Early Sunday morning the children found the grizzly remains scattered all through the house. They assembled all the pieces and performed the autopsy. The verdict? Mother had sabotaged Easter again. “Mom, you read too many who-done-its!” 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 304 : The Real Reason They Went to the Show
“Come on. It’s time.” Bruce got up as soon as the band took their first bows. He wanted to get the entire crew into the alley behind the theater before the encores started. Not counting Tracy – who they left sitting there – there were eight of them at the show today. That should be more than enough to make his uncle happy. All of them stood up and followed Bruce. Word must have gotten around what he did to […]
The Personal Armageddon
It takes time to realize that the world has indeed ended and everyone that matters is long gone and the screaming, yawning void inside can’t be filled by tears. It takes time for the tattered remains of purpose in life to knit back into the fabric of a day. For the joy of survival to carry any meaning and for life to go on. It takes time The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story […]
Suzie’s House 303 : The Passion Pit Show
“This is so iconic,” Tracy grumbled. “Iconic?” Bruce looked puzzled for a minute. “Oh! You mean ironic!” “That’s what I said,” Tracy glared at him. “Like I was saying, my boyfriend is off practicing with the Masked Wonder for the sake of my own band while I’m stuck here with you. Is that ironic or what?”
Grave
A dozen relatives stood around the tomb while the priest recited lines that should have held deep meaning. Stone faced, not a single child cried. The widow, inconsolable, unable to not grieve, stood alone. Cried alone. Carried on with a life made vacant by different kinds of leaving. Twenty years later, her turn comes and history repeats itself. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is hosted […]
