The story of the week for May 1 to 5 is…
Look Upon My Works by Bill Cox
All posts by Tim
EDDIE D MOORE: Finally Some Spirit
The doors of the church closed behind me as the congregation quieted for the baptismal service. Shivering, a woman stepped into the water. The pastor plunged her under. She came up shouting. I thought, Finally, a church with some Spirit.
Eyes heavenward, she announced, “That water’s cold!”
I sighed deeply.
Eddie D. Moore travels extensively for work, and he spends much of that time listening to audio books. The rest of the time is spent dreaming of stories to write and he spends the weekends writing them. His stories have been published by Jouth Webzine, The Flash Fiction Press, Every Day Fiction, Theme of Absence, Devolution Z, and Fantasia Divinity Magazine. Find more on his blog.
MICHELLE DINNICK: Underground Parking
Filthy concrete stairs.
The stench of urine and vomit drifts upward with growing intensity.
Reaching the steel door at the bottom, you open it swiftly, because you have been holding your breath.
Stepping over beer cans, cigarette butts and used needles, you wonder, “Why don’t I just take the streetcar?”
Michelle is a contributing author in the soon-to-be released Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of Canada. She writes non-fiction, fiction and poetry. A regular Human Interest contributor for several local publications in Alliston, Ontario, Michelle really enjoys micro-fiction! In March 2017, she was longlisted as a semi-finalist at the Ontario Writers Conference (OWC) Story Starters Contest; and in April 2016, she was shortlisted as a finalist, also at the OWC-SSC.
JAMES P SPITZNOGLE: Weight Loss
Four AM, there’s the garbage truck. Every other morning it wakes me up. I wonder if he’s as tired as I am.
Hopefully he doesn’t notice how big that darn bag is. It’s heavier than I had expected. I always told her she should diet.
Then I forgot the T.
James P. Spitznogle is an aspiring writer from the early yet dark hills of West Virginia
BILL COX: Look Upon My Works
Heading south through the ruins, I startle three deer. Their barks echo through the concrete canyons as they run.
I see ever more plants breaking through the tarmac; a green infection. I pause to watch the sunrise. The morning light has a golden quality.
Manhattan has never looked so lovely.
Bill lives in Aberdeen Scotland. He is considered a pioneer in the art of slacking off by many, but he can’t be bothered seeking accreditation.
DAVID RAE: The First Time You Cheated On Me
The first time you cheated on me, you cried over the phone.
“We have to talk,” you said.
We walked in bruised silence through the park, then sat and stared over the hill.
“I don’t understand,” I said at last.
“Let me explain,” you told me. “We’re not a couple.”
David still doesn’t get it completely.
JL COURTNEY: Bye
They took her by ambulance. The neighbor called and told me. Cleaning out her house was the closest I came to “Goodbye.”
A pack of Marlboros, half-smoked. A jug of milk. Dishes she didn’t wash. Her fridge had a note: Give Terri her book back.
I don’t know a Terri.
Jennifer Courtney has been published online at Postcard Poems and Prose, Page & Spine, Black Heart Magazine, and elsewhere. She has found her way into several print anthologies.
JOHN H. DROMEY: Sticking Point
Finding no medical explanation for his patient’s intermittent aches and pains, Dr. Ffarrigut said, “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re the victim of a hex.”
Later, the patient asked his wife, “Where’s our little ragdoll souvenir from the Caribbean?”
“I gave it to Mother. She needed a pincushion.”
John H. Dromey has had short fiction published in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Crimson Streets, Stupefying Stories Showcase, and elsewhere.
PAUL H YARBROUGH: The Journey
He walked to the exit escorted by his plaintiffs; those to whom he had entreated. He beheld the brilliant sun. He walked toward the stairs, then climbed beyond; a shroud now covered his head. The floor fell away, he plunged, and his neck snapped. His soul beheld the black sun.
Paul H. Yarbrough is a novelist, short story author and free lance writer of political and social topics. He lives in Houston, Texas. His third novel is coming out later this year. See more at paulhyarbrough.com.
EO HARGREAVES: The Animal Trainer
The kitten sinks its teeth into my leg for the millionth time.
“Stop it.”
It ignores me.
“I was gonna give you a cool name, but from now on you’ll be called Princess Fluffylumps the Third!”
The male kitten blinks.
“Don’t push me. Or the glittery pink collar is next.”
E.O. is making a first attempt at a humorous fiction novelette called Id/entity, which, if it doesn’t suck, might actually see the light someday on Amazon Kindle. If not, EO will probably make some nice origami, or a LOT of paper footballs.