Categotry Archives: Fiction
Suzie’s House 125: Ben’s Final Break
“It’s for you?” Ben slapped the back of the chair Lisa was sitting in. He didn’t get it. What was wrong with Gene? A few days ago he was ready to crawl through a window to beat up his father because of what he said. Today the social worker was all set to do it for him, and he wouldn’t let her. “What do you mean it’s for you?”
Suzie’s House 124 : Unpunished
Gene refused to look up. Instead, he crumbled the cookie on the plate Mrs. Hammacker had put in front of him. He didn’t dare look at Ben, because then Ben would expect him to back him up. He didn’t dare look at Mrs. Hammacker, because she might ask questions. For sure Kathy the Social Worker would ask questions. Probably ask even if he didn’t look. And Lisa. Gene had no idea what to make of Lisa. He hunched over the […]
Office Gossip
Click on picture to go to hub. “Did you hear about Johnson in Marketing?” “The handsome man who rides a motorcycle to work?” “That’s the one. He’s been fired.” “What? Oh no! How did it happen?” “He was almost caught in the copy room with his pants down.” “Pft! Almost doesn’t count.” “He left copies behind, if you know what I mean.”
Learning
Jill: I don’t know, Jack. Seems like ever since the real Tonic got switched with this other dog, that’s all we ever thing about. Jack: Yeah, you’re right. We’ve been worrying too much about him. I think we need to just get on with our lives. Jill: But how can we when he does everything different. I mean, look at him now. Jack: (mumbling) he has better table manners than I do. Jill: I don’t even remember giving him a […]
Suzie’s House 123: No Good Deed
Oh great. He should have taken Lisa through the front door instead of acting all sneaky with the back. Of course Mom and Gene would be in the kitchen. Ben should of thought of that. But that woman he and Lisa eavesdropped on at school, what was she still doing here?
Summer “Vacation.”
Click on picture to go to hub. Like working in a sauna, sweat rolls down her back. The fan on the computer is running so hard it’s developing a high-pitched whine. No air conditioning. Over 100F in the shade. Can’t stop. Three novels due or over due. Back aches, wrist aches, head is empty but can’t stop. Words. Words. Just a few more….
Suzie’s House 122: Affirmations
Kathy paused in front of the kitchen table in Suzie Hammaker’s house. She’d delivered Gene into her care and provided the paper work. She had no further excuse, yet there she stood, unable to resist. “Are you aware of the story your son wrote?”
Suzie’s House 121: Home Visit
When Suzie answered her front door, she knew right away the woman standing next to Gene must be the social worker on his case, the one who had called about him. Gene darted into the house like a stray dog coming home, but the woman remained standing on the porch. “Mrs. Hammacker, do you mind if I come in? There are a few things I would like to discuss with you and Gene.” The woman, Kathy, didn’t look nearly as […]
Piece of Candy
Click on picture to go to hub. “Ha-ha! The maid left another piece of chocolate. Quick! Eat it before The Boy finds out. If he knows about the chocolates, he’ll eat them all from now on. Can’t let him know the maid leaves them. Oh no! She was here while I was gone. He saw! No more chocolate for me.” – The Girl
Upon Waking Up With Cracked Ribs
Click on picture to go to hub. White sheets. White curtains. White walls. Hospitals are full of bland. Gene fingers the button to call the nurse. Where are his clothes? Should he take them? Then what, home to Dad? Not likely. Decisions overwhelm him. Can’t decide anything with a fuzzy head. Gene rolls over. Sleeps. Lets the Social Services lady have her way. I can’t get at the file where Suzie’s House is right now, but I can still write […]
Suzie’s House 121: Overheard
“Do you think we should cut class to find out?” Lisa walked so close to Ben he could feel her shoulder next to his even when she wasn’t bumping into him because people in the hall shoved her. He wondered if she realized she was too close. Then her words sank in. “You? Cut class?” He couldn’t believe it.
Suzie’s House 120: Comes Around
“Principal Greear, Miss Vargovich is here to see you.” The school secretary called through the open door. “Send her in!” Principal Greear got out from behind his desk to greet his guest. “Kathy,” He welcomed her with hands outstretched. “How are you?” “Dale! So good to see you again. It’s been what? Two, three years?” She shook his hand, smiling warmly. If he hadn’t been a married man, a few years back he would have dated her. Instead, they maintained […]
Spoon
She took the spoon out of the sink full of dirty dishes. It was the same spoon she’d used to eat her cereal moments before. It was sitting in the bowl which she had placed on the top of the damp, dirty, disgusting pile. The very top. She gave it a long, thoughtful look, then put it in her mouth. Click on picture to go to hub.
Suzie’s House 119: What Goes Around
Kathy dropped her keys as she approached her ’53, powder blue, Chevrolet Bel Air. They clanged as they hit the pavement, then clattered as she tripped over them, driving a sharp point or two between her foot and the inside of her Birkenstocks before they shot off under the front, driver’s side tire. “Ouch!” She bent over, grabbing her foot and hopping. She lost her balance, and bumped into one of the carport’s white-washed support pillars. The whole structure boomed […]
