JIM GUNSHINAN: Spilled Milk

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, , ,

“You could do surgery on my kitchen floor,” she said.

At dinner, I accidentally spilled my glass.

Mom got up and walked slowly around the table, spilling the other seven glasses—64 ounces of icy cold milk. It wet my jeans, ran down my legs, filled up my Sear’s Jeepers.

Jim is a versatile and experienced writer and editor of nonfiction and creative nonfiction works. He blogs about and has published articles about green home building and renovation, energy, the environment, and Climate Change. He has also published articles on science and spirituality, personal essays, and poetry. Jim lives in Walnut Creek, California, with his partner and their Labradoodle, who is out of work as a therapy dog for hospice patients due to COVID-19.

ALAN MOSKOWITZ: There’s a Clone in My Closet

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

I cloned myself and kept him in my closet until I wanted to visit my girlfriend. I would go out, leaving him with my wife.

It worked perfectly for months.

Sneaking in last night, I found them in bed together.

She told me it was my turn in the closet.

Alan has worked as a successful screen and TV writer for over forty years. Recently retired, he began writing short genre fiction. So far he has been published in several online venues. New to the art of short fiction writing, he welcomes feedback. He may be reached at his Facebook page under his name or mosko13@aol.com.

MIA DALIA: Haunted

Odd, Submissions, Touching, , , ,

If this is a haunting, I’m afraid you’re not doing it right. No, it isn’t ironic. No, I don’t intend to discuss the definition of irony with you right now. No, I don’t want to fight. Wait. Don’t leave. Please. No, I’m sorry. Of course, of course I miss you.

Mia Dalia is a new author, who until recently, was mainly writing nonfiction – essays and reviews. She can be found lurking anonymously on GR delighting 100s of followers with 50plus reviews each month or on the internet at advancetheplot.weebly.com. Her flash fiction will soon be featured in Flash Fiction Magazine and Night Terror Novels.

ELISA BERNARDINO: Laugh Without a Sound

Submissions, Touching, , , ,

I saw him frantically search for his glasses.
They were on his head.

I saw him trip without falling
On the box beside his desk,
I laughed without a sound
Does he know?

He saw me. I smiled.
My eyes stroke his head.
He laughed without a sound.
I know.

Elisa clings to a day job as an Administrative Assistant. She is over 50 years old and adores her nephews and nieces – all 7 of them.

DIANE GOTTLIEB: Crash

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

What if he had no ribs? No eyes? Saw her beauty with his heart? There’d be a wedding, with cake, maybe candy. They’d need no cover, shade, no shame. What if they charmed the snake, baked the apple? What if there was only spring and summer, no winter, no fall?

Diane Gottlieb writes fiction and nonfiction—all of it true. You can find her at dianegottlieb.com and on Twitter at @DianeGotAuthor.

KATYA DUFT: Compliment or Condiment?

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

He stared at her from his restaurant table. She blushed, sneakily glanced, and saw him write on a napkin. He left it on her table and walked away. Her heart almost escaped the chest. Was that a phone number?

The note read: You have a ketchup stain on your blouse.

Katya Duft is a public transit blogger (Tales From the Bus) and a recent Moth Story Slam winner; frequent participant of storytelling shows and contests. She is also a linguist who works in post-production.

TC SUNDBERG: Photography Lesson

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

You told me I should learn the difference
Between mirrors and portals
Like it was a secret you knew
Like it was something you could teach me

Somewhere
In all the blue-light dreams on infinite scroll
And the free-fall-belly-flop summer picture days
I forgot
To ask which one you were

T.C. Sundberg is a writer and poet living in New York. Her hobbies include graduate school and long walks with her dog. She aspires to be “someone” someday.

CARRIE BACKER: Dancing With Daddy

Submissions, Touching, , , , ,

Every evening little Emma’s outstretched arms beckon Daddy to dance.

Her bright smile and sweet hums linger softly as she twirls and sways.

Double-handed kisses flutter silently through the air as she whispers, “Love you, Daddy.”

Mother smiles and wonders if Emma really sees him or if she just remembers.

Carrie Backer enjoys writing as a hobby and has had the honor of being published at 50WS a few times.

EMMA McEVOY: A Cautionary Tale

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

Fairytales taught her to dream big.

If only she’d bottled her bravery from back when she’d slayed her own dragons; when she was queen of the castle.

Somehow she’s imbibed other stories: messages, quips, and pictures which taught her to feel worthless.

That’s how she fell for the dirty rascal.

Emma McEvoy is a teacher, book blogger and podcaster who loves writing flash fiction. Her pieces have appeared in EllipsisZine, Sundial Magazine, FiveMinuteLit and National Flash Flood, among others. After growing up in Ireland and living in France and Japan, she is now based in the north of England where she lives with her husband, two teenage children and naughty beagle. On Twitter, she’s @corkyorky