The story of the week for May 13 to 17 is…
Twelve Weeks by Jez Poyner
JENNIFER BUSCH: Seasonal Tips
Spring: Dare to say hi.
Summer: Tease them about wearing a scarf; actually, you love it, you adore everything about them, they make you fizz with joy and the world shades beautiful and you lose yourself in their emerald eyes and electric touch and heady scent…
Winter: Return the scarf.
Jennifer Busch usually submits things seven seconds before the deadline.
SALVATORE DIFALCO: Demarco
How was I supposed to tell the guy I thought he was dead? Seriously. Heard he died in a car crash. He asked how I was doing. I said I was good. How about you? I asked. Have my ups and downs, he said, eyes rolling back in his head.
Salvatore Difalco wrote this story.
ELIZABETH HONE: A Dog and a Biscuit
You were three.
Maggie was twelve.
She cocked her head from side to side, planted firmly on her four feet, watching as you chose the dog biscuit and proffered it.
You wagged your index finger at her, ordering her to sit. Then begged.
Still the tail wagged. Still she stood.
Elizabeth Hone wrote this story.
BOB THURBER: Last Chapter of A Living Fairy Tale
When he sees his wife rousing from her nap he flips the book open and recites the ending again.
She blinks several times, slowly bringing his face and his voice into focus.
Her apple-green eyes look no different now than the first time.
“I love that story,” she says, smiling.
Bob Thurber is the author of six books. Regarded as a master of Flash and Micro Fiction, his work has appeared in Esquire and other magazines, been anthologized 60 times, received a long list of awards, and been utilized in schools and colleges throughout the world. He resides in Massachusetts. Visit his website at BobThurber.net.
KL MILL: Stop, Time
So faded, you can barely read it: Teddy – 3 yrs. Moving up the door frame, a child grows: etchings in the wood mark inches gained, frozen moments captured along the chipped paint.
“Movers are here, Mom.” Familiar voice, grown so low. You touch the topmost tally, leaving one last fingerprint.
K. L. Mill is also a voice actor, another profession that revolves around words. Most recently her work has been published by Black Hare Press, Hungry Shadow Press, and Atomic Carnival.
JEZ POYNER: Twelve Weeks
We’re leaving our child in California.
It’s a relief boarding our return flight,
Backs turned from the hotel room,
the hospital ward,
this ruin of a holiday.
Yet as the skyline tilts and expands beyond our window, our hearts ache.
Goodbye, little one.
If only we could have said hello.
Jez Poyner lives in Manchester, UK. He writes on his phone at night, whilst his wife sleeps beside him.
JOANNA NORLAND: Fledgling
“Go on,” chirped Mama. “You are ready to fly.”
“Who’s my brave fledgling?” she cooed, as he jumped.
“Try again,” she squawked, when he tumbled and thrashed.
“That’s it!” she trilled as he glided.
The chick caught the wind and soared out of sight.
Softly, Mama cooed, “Please come back.”
Joanna Alexandra Norland is a UK-based playwright and writing coach. She is a soon to be empty nester incubating dozens of writing projects.
CATE COVERT: Surgical Precision – Life-giving Decision
My hip told a story of abuse.
I tried to forgive as I watched myself deteriorate over the past few years.
Doctor and robot replaced my hip:
Severed the ball,
Scooped out the socket,
Replacing titanium and ceramic for maiming weakness, bitter memories, and pain.
Releasing the trauma,
I’m
Renewed.
Cate Covert has been regaling friends and family with her tall tales since she could talk. She loves engaging with her reading audiences. Her poetry, flash fiction, and humorous stories reside at Cate Covert on Chadashah.org and her Inspirational essays and bible studies at Pastora Cate’s Corner on Substack.
JACQUI TOWNSEND: Train Ride
I know it’s not the same as it was, but back when it was, I toddled the carriage aisle, swaying sideways, listening to the clickedy-clack in rapid repeat and the whistle announcing a station—and I’d wave. Now it’s silent maglev or hyperloop tracks, windows blur—no time to wave.
Jacqui loves Flash Fiction, Haiku, Haiban, 50 Word Stories, and the island life.