The story of the week for January 1 to 5 is…
Toys by Tim Boiteau
ADAM J GALANSKI-DE LEON: A Dollar Fifty-Nine
In the Village Discount basement, torn shoes line the walls with junk toys wrapped in plastic, old ceramic mugs, broken electronics, and typewriters without ribbons, and in between the frames and magazines is a used painting of a breast cancer ribbon for someone’s mother. It’s worth $1.59, says the tag.
This story was written by Adam J. Galanski-De León.
SUE ANN GLEASON: Beneath Warm Sun
My nephew takes me on a walk around the property that holds his condominium. Across the street chainsaws hum as palm trees fall to make room for a new high rise. But in this tiny little nook, between a cement staircase and a parking garage, we spot Eurekas dripping lemon.
Sue Ann Gleason is a writer, educator, and nourishment guide who loves freshly sharpened pencils and pages that turn. See more at wellnourishedwoman.com and sueanngleason.substack.com and on Instagram.
CHRIS LIHOU: Landfill
Wednesday is bin day, the day a specially designed vehicle collects detritus from a week’s living for its journey to the landfill site.
Sunday, a different specially designed vehicle collects cargo for its journey. Friends and relatives watch as a life’s living is lowered into the earth at another site.
Chris lives in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia. He is retired and having fun writing. He has just published his first book, “Fifty More or Less”.
JOHN SZAMOSI: Culmination
“Fly like eagle and run without tiring,” the chieftain promised her. He was also an ordained priest and owner of the grocery store in the village.
She came in to buy rice and corn oil but the shelves were picked clean. Not that it mattered; the dollar was worthless anyway.
John Szamosi is a wordsmith and peace activist who has published several short stories, satire, and poems in print and online magazines.
TIM BOITEAU: Toys
Two weeks after it happened, Mr. Ludlow dragged countless bags to the curb, and my wife and I watched from across the street as children-vultures descended upon them, tearing through the black plastic, spilling the cheerful-colored toys across the lawn.
An hour later the street was empty.
I felt sick.
Tim Boiteau is a Writers of the Future winner and author of two novels, most recently ILTDAY. Find more at timboiteau.wordpress.com.
NICK YOUNG: The Best Intentions
This time, he vowed, he would get it just right. This time he would follow the recipe to the letter. No substituting. No improvising. He would bake her the best birthday cake ever. The ingredients were mixed, the batter poured. He smiled with satisfaction. That’s when the oven caught fire.
Nick Young is a retired award-winning CBS News Correspondent. In addition to 50-Word Stories, his writing has appeared in more than thirty publications including the Pennsylvania Literary Journal, The Garland Lake Review, The Best of CaféLit 11 and Vols. I and II of the Writer Shed Stories anthologies. His first novel, “Deadline”, was published in September. He lives outside Chicago.
BUD PHARO: Final Visitor
Was it the morphine that made my mother smile for the first time in years?
“Do you see Johnny?” she asked.
“Mom, your brother died years ago.”
“But he’s here,” she said, closing her eyes forever.
“Strange, right?” I asked the nurse.
“No, someday someone will come for you, too.”
Bud is a disabled veteran who writes short stories and flash fiction.
AISHA YANSANE: The Chemistry Test
“You may begin… now,” the teacher said.
My mind focuses on blood types not elements. O+. B-. Incompatible. Kidneys had to match. The doctor said we’d have to act quickly if a donor emerged. I hoped it’d be an old one.
“Time’s up! Pencils down.”
I hadn’t even begun yet.
Aisha Yansane is 9th grade student from Philadelphia. This is the beginning of her creative writing journey. Find her on Instagram at @amourraisha.
ROBERT TRUEBLOOD: Driving at Night
The road stretched on into the night, a mournful song on the radio. The car’s driver was alone. Beside him sat a full bottle and a cabin reservation for two. He focused not on the song, the full bottle, or the empty car. His sad eyes focused on the road.
Robert Trueblood is an amateur writer, professional bookkeeper, GM, and possible Vampire from Alberta, Canada.