Categotry Archives: Fiction
The Talk
Click on picture to go to hub. “My mother says I’m an enabler. I think she’s right. The thing is, I want to be an enabler. I do. I want to enable you to do incredible things; photography, or writing, or something. I’ve been waiting all this time for a chance. I don’t think I should wait any more. Do you?”
Suzie’s House 132: A Man in the Crowd
“Don’t worry.” Gene clapped Ben on the back. “I won’t get in your way.” The relief on Ben’s face was almost comical. Before Gene could burst his bubble with a dig, Lisa came back. “I’m sorry. It didn’t work.” She looked bummed. “What did you try,” Ben asked.
Trepidation
Click on picture to go to hub. Could be anything inside – a murder victim, some old lady who died in her sleep, a kid too young to open the door. Whatever it was stank enough to have the neighbors complaining. He pounded on the door. “Open up!” She did. Python in one hand, rotten mice in the other. That’s how Officer Johansen met Marley Dunbarough. Edited 9/25 7:49am: I should have said sooner. Officer Johansen and Marley Dunbarough are […]
Suzie’s House 131: A Way In
“Why didn’t you give the tickets to me,” Gene asked. He and Lisa stood under a street light, or maybe it should be called a sidewalk light since it wasn’t near any street. It was along the walk way leading up to the coliseum where ShapeShifter was going to play. They were waiting for Ben, who was talking to some guys unloading a truck. “You were busy at the time.” Lisa shrugged.
Jump
Click on picture to go to hub. Every day, a little further. Each time, a stretching up, a whoosh and a whrrr, as the world goes by. Dash to the mark, then place the foot just so. Take. Off. Launch into the stars. Reach for the heavens. Count breathlessly until gravity can endure no more. Only count the cost after the landing.
Suzie’s House 130: In Exchange
My regular readers have probably noticed a new arc in the story. That’s because I have a special treat for you this week. Susan Helene Gottfried and I have combined our writing talents to bring you a two-sided story. Once you’ve read this, click here to see the other side of things. “This is great!” Miranda did a little hop, almost bumping one of the security guards keeping the audience away from the stage. She had really outdone herself on […]
Jam Session
Click on picture to go to hub. Ready Betty, Big Deal, and Montana Crystal all forgot their drums again. Doesn’t matter. I’ve got plenty. Fifteen in a circle – mostly congas, other hand drums. Some idiot showed up with an electric piano. Like anyone will hear it over the noise. On a count of three…. The neighbors are going to complain tonight.
Suzie’s House 129: Caught Empty Handed
“I don’t have to go!” Lisa stood on the front porch a beamed. “I don’t have to leave town after all. So, um… about the tickets…” Ben just about swallowed his tongue. He even choked a little. “Tickets?” he said in a tight voice, thinking about how happy Miranda looked when he gave them to her. “You don’t have to give them back,” Lisa said real quick. She held her hands up and waved them like to say she wouldn’t […]
In Concert
Click on picture to go to hub. It isn’t just the music. It isn’t merely glamor. It’s more than flicking a Bic, screaming, or dancing in the aisles. It’s the community of souls connecting over a common feeling; a blood-pumping plunge into being a part, yet also apart, as if the audience and band could trade places with the strum of a cord.
Suzie’s House 128: Two Tickets to Paradise
“Would you quit doing that?” Ben was ready to start pounding on Gene. For the last half an hour Gene had been sitting on the bed, staring into space looking all put out, and spinning the wheels of his skateboard. Ben was sitting at his desk with his back to the bed, but he could still hear the ball bearings clicking, and remembered Gene’s expression between glances. “Do you like Lisa?”
In the Crucible
Click on picture to go to hub. “Dear Lord,” she prays, “I can not take much more.” She kneels, hands folded, tears glistening down her face to pool in ugly pain on a thin shirt. God wants to tell her he is tempering her, but she can’t hear him. She hasn’t been in the crucible long enough. He reaches for another trial, fans the flames, and watches.
Suzie’s House 127: Tickets
“So, you going to do it?” Ben watched Gene dump all his old notebooks into a garbage can the school left in the hall for everyone cleaning out their lockers. He couldn’t help think it was a waste to throw away so many blank pages. He could use those pages for his writing. “Do what?” he asked Gene.
“The Dragons Did it.”
Click on picture to go to hub. Smoke curling around the crispy remains of an eggplant, gold glinting from under a pile of Raven feathers, a quill shredded to PUNishing proportions, wry comments and toothy grins, who could be responsible? Clawed footprints and the whisk marks of wings. All fingers point the same direction. Fandango is running amok again. This was inspired by the comment left on last week’s FF55 – both my own and others.
Suzie’s House 126: Unbiased Opinion
“Mom, can I talk to you?” Ben grabbed her sleeve when she started to go out of the kitchen with the social worker, Gene, and Lisa. “Oh, um…” She glanced from him to the others. “Sure, Honey. Gene, would you mind seeing Kathy out?” “Sure thing, Mrs. Hammacker,” Gene said, and kept going. Lisa stopped to look at him, and he thought she might hang around, but she went with Gene instead. Maybe she went because she thought he wanted […]
The Eggplant is Missing
Click on picture to go to hub. The eggplant was perfect, a lovely purple the right size and shape. It’s fate awaited in the microwave. The camera was already set up, prepared to document it’s veggie demise. But where’s the star? in the freezer? In the cup board? In the trash? No where. It has vanished, disappearing without a trace. So far, no one has confessed.
