Categotry Archives: Fiction
Exploring
They say not to go there. They don’t say why. Could it be the cob webs? The creaky floors? The rusty nails? A ghost! That must be it. Giggling, we go anyway. We dare each other late at night. “How long can you stand to stay?” They say it’s dangerous. But they don’t say why. 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, […]
Small Steps
Your grand schemes Will come to not If all you do is dream. I tell you to study Because it is The first step In your journey. Will you only talk? Or will you take a step? Monkey Man hosts the 160 Character Challenge. See what you can write in 160 characters or less, spaces included.
Suzie’s House 181: Tick, Tick, Tick
“Did you see the way she looked at me? I’m telling you, there’s something wrong with Gene’s girlfriend.” Miranda closed the door to their room, then gave the lock a decisive turn, as if it were perfectly normal to lock their door. “Girlfriend? She’s just a buddy,” Vin scoffed. He sat down in the chair next to the bed and unlaced his shoes. “Girlfriend. Buddy. What’s the difference?” She gestured impatiently as she drifted to the bed, then back to […]
I can be wowed.
She is very sure of her opinions. For every amazing feat she finds a flaw. For every excellence, a short coming. Her taste is impeccable. But can she be amazed? Can she savor the sublime moment when something unexpected changes the color of the world? I can. I make it a habit. I like to be wowed. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is hosted by […]
Grand Scheme
“Or I’ll be a racecar driver or a rock star or a tattoo artist. So I don’t need to learn algebra.” “Maybe so, but you aren’t going anywhere until your homework is done.” Monkey Man hosts the 160 Character Challenge. See what you can write in 160 characters or less, spaces included.
Suzie’s House 180: Inviting a Lawyer to Lunch
Buttered green beans, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, dinner rolls, Jeff’s mouth watered as he watched what all hit the dinner table. Cole slaw, grilled chicken, steak, he started getting nervous, though there were plenty of people sitting around the table, so maybe this much food was justified. Peach pie, salad, croissants, another chicken, Jeff broke out in a sweat. When Suzie cooked this much, even with Vin, Miranda, Suzie, Ben and Gene and two girls Jeff didn’t recognize […]
A Rain-Scrubbed Day
The close, feted darkness of the house behind me, warm, but confining in it’s demands and restrictions I stand in the doorway looking on the greens of leaves and grass made impossibly bright by new rain come and gone. This rare bright day of fresh air beckons but so do the needs of those within. 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, […]
Joyful Decisions
So many to choose from! Where to begin? This one, or that? I’ll have to check them all out. I love spending a day at the library. Monkey Man hosts the 160 Character Challenge. See what you can write in 160 characters or less, spaces included.
Suzie’s House 179: A Boy’s Opinion
“It’s not my fault,” Gene growled as he followed Ben and into Ben’s room. “I never told her to do it.” Lisa let the two boys charge ahead. They were so full of testosterone it was better to just get out of their way. She waited for Tracy to pass through, too, because walking in front of Tracy tended to be an iffy proposition. It meant she went unnoticed as she entered the room, which suited her just fine. “Well […]
The Spirit of It
“Eight words, Nancy. I only went eight words over the limit.” “But the limit is 55. The point is, you went over.” “No one but you cares!” “Well, YOU should care. Doesn’t it bother you to cheat?” “It isn’t cheating, really. It’s just a guideline. Who is counting?” “I counted. Why didn’t you?” “I did. Then I forgave myself.” The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is […]
Suzie’s House 178: Adoption
“Tracy, I found your ring.” Mrs. H walked into the room without knocking. Seemed like she’d done a lot more of that since Tracy started hanging out with him in his room, but Gene couldn’t really say anything because he knew he was lucky to have a room at all. It’s not like they were really going to do anything in Mrs. H’s house. Tracy crawled off the bed where she’d been curled up next to him and took the […]
After Glow
She loves it when he rolls off and falls asleep. It’s a rare moment when his overwhelming vitality banks and she gets to see something no one else does; her man vulnerable. She plays with his chest hair, then looks in his face, looking for her angel. He sighs, smiles, and opens one eye just enough to wink. The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is hosted […]
160 Directions
You only think you know where you’re going. The destination shines before you, but before reaching that bright sunrise reflected in building glass, a corner will have to be turned. Monkey Man hosts the 160 Character Challenge. See what you can write in 160 characters or less, spaces included.
Suzie’s House 177: A Ticking Bomb
Vin had one knee between Suzie’s legs and a hand on either side of her chest. If Miranda had seen this a couple of months ago, she’d have ripped both of them up one side and down the other. Now, she simply tilted her head, and considered various possibilities, including that the two of them were doing something perfectly innocent. “Hey, Miranda. Did you want to see how Teflon tape works, too?”
Out of Touch
On the highest mountain peek my daughter’s cell phone beeps the receipt of a text message. Tracy is running wild and Lisa is right behind her. Better do something about them, quick. While I peruse the grandeur of distant mountains, she taps out her reply. I can not help wondering who is out of touch. 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, […]
