All posts by Tim

The Last Time You Dropped Your Tea

Gina’s tea tumbled onto the floor. “Oh no!” she cried, reaching for the paper towel.

“Wait!” said Patrick. “The last time you dropped your tea, the spill looked like a heart, and you met your boyfriend later that day. This time, it’s…”

“Just a puddle.”

And then the basement flooded.


This story is based on a title suggested by @KingKool.

Death Rides Last

“Whoa, stop right there, bud.”

“I BEG YOUR PARDON.”

“You’ve got to wait your turn. Adolescence and young adulthood only just passed by. Middle age is up next.”

“BUT THERE’S ROOM TO FIT MY BICYCLE IN RIGHT THERE.”

“I’m sorry, sir, but in the parade of life, Death rides last.”


This story is based on a title suggested by @GreatTrollKing.

Good News, Bad News

“Do you want to hear the good news first, or the bad news?”

“Good, please.”

“Okay. God sent His Son to earth to save you–”

“Oh, the Good News? Thanks, I’m familiar. High five, Christian buddy! What’s the bad news?”

“I, uh, ‘lost’ that ugly sweater you gave me. Sorry.”


This story was based on the TypeTrigger prompt “the good news.”

Math at the Track

“How did you do at the track meet, Johnny?” said Mom.

“I got one fourth and one second.”

“That’s wonderful, dear!”

Dad said, “Actually, he means he got a quarter of the way around the track, kept going for one more second, and then stopped.”

Johnny glared at Dad. “Spoilsport.”


This story was based on the TypeTrigger prompt “one fourth.”

A World Set On Mute

It had been snowing for hours, days, weeks. I stood in the window, gazing out at my quiet suburban neighbourhood, a world set on Mute.

I could still hear his last breath inside my head, even from beneath the snow. By the time it melted, I’d be far, far away.


This story was based on the TypeTrigger prompt “on mute.”

The Magic in a Word

There is great power in a word. Your task, apprentice, is to unlock it.

Begin by deeply internalizing its meaning. Then divide its syllables, and unravel them. Only when you have delved to the core of every phoneme will you be prepared to bend the word’s power to your will.


This story was based on the TypeTrigger prompt “in a word.”

Adhering to the Best Laid Plans

My sister always used a stencil set and a dark pencil to trace her weekly schedule into a day planner. She said her plans seemed firmer that way, but not so rigid as if she’d used a pen. She knew disruptions were inevitable, but hoped the stencils might discourage them.


This story was based on the TypeTrigger prompt “stenciled in.”

Overt Alert

Just as I’m easing myself through a bank of lasers, the last security measure between me and my target, I’m jolted by the ear-splitting blare of a siren, followed by the chiming and gonging of bells and the braying of a chorus of sick donkeys.

I hate my alarm clock.


This story is based on a title suggested by Adam Michaud.