ROBERT MARKOVICH: The Boy In The Box

Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, Touching, , ,

Can boogeymen and fluffernutters, scraped knees and coloring books, times tables and video games, homework assignments and roller coasters, algebra problems and iPhones, fumbled kisses and glimmers of the man to be matter if they all lead to a momentary miscalculation of speed and distance on a bicycle at night?

Robert Markovich spent a lifetime in what is charitably referred to as service journalism, writing and editing stories about everything from cars to toilets, most recently at Consumer Reports. He is happily and gratefully retired.

JOSHUA ADDISON: Triumph

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

The throngs of people erupt as the parade enters the city, my chariot at the head outshining Helios himself. The crowd cheers hysterically as I smile and turn my laureled head in recognition.

My euphoria is interrupted by a soft whisper,

Caesar, you are but a man…

Hmph, not today.

Joshua loves historical fiction and thought it might be interesting in a microfiction format, perfect for those tiny, nuanced moments in history that are never conveyed in a textbook.

MARJAN SIERHUIS: Patience

Submissions, Touching, , , , ,

I watch father through a panel of glass.

I long to remove my mask and give him a hug, but the nursing home will not allow it.

Perhaps tomorrow, I tell myself.

Be patient.

For him, you have all the time in the world.

Marjan Sierhuis loves reading 50-word stories.

JL MATTHEWS: The Truth and the Lie

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

He ripped loose the foil, poured, and stirred.

“And you don’t see it as a problem?” she asked.

He turned and sipped his coffee. “I do it all the time, too.”

“What? Lie?”

He nodded. “He is an artist, Kathy. It is through the lie that he reveals the truth.”

JL Matthews is a Medium.com top writer of fiction, history, and humor. His writing can be found at medium.com/@JLMatthews

MEGHA NAYAR: Ms. Robin Hood

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, , ,

She’s an entrepreneur, though not of life-altering stuff. No vaccines or edu-tech.

She makes beauty potions for the uber-rich. Sells the promise of lifelong allure, at 500% profit. They buy happily.

Then she gives their money away. Feeds, shelters, medicates the destitute. Anonymously.

She’s the legal kind of Robin Hood.

Megha Nayar writes to remain sane. It is her escape from drudgery, dealing with people, and the drudgery of dealing with people.

DEIRDRE SMITH: Birthday Boy

Submissions, , , ,

He lies in the bubbly bath water, face protruding enough to comfortably breathe.

I gently pour water over the soapy hair on his forehead, the bit that didn’t quite make the dive.

He doesn’t flinch.

He smiles at me and I at him.

Today, my baby is a six-year-old fish.

Deirdre is a stay-at-home mom to three young children. She has a degree in English and a Masters in Counselling Psychology.

JAMES MENGES: Who Should Know?

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

My terminal patient’s only hope is a kidney transplant.

His estranged adult daughter returns after her mother’s death and agrees to be tested as a potential donor.

The test results cry, “Incompatible match.”

There is no proper way to tell either of them that she is not his biological daughter.

James Menges is a writer and photographer. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America.

PAUL LAMAR: Trail Terpsichore

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

At the running trail’s straightaway, I knew I could make my legs pistons, sprint like I was 25, but suddenly Goose-Poop Alley loomed, 100 yards of goopy green and brown sidewalk smudges. I leaped, twisted, quick-minced, and lunged, the ballet dancer I’d never been but was now—magnificently!–at 74.

Paul Lamar lives with his husband, Mark, in Albany, NY, not far from three grown children and two swell grandkids.

RAN WALKER: Drowning

Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, , ,

I warn her not to over-water the plant in the window, but she insists that more water is needed to reach the roots. This is just like her: to do a little too much, to love a little too hard. Just like that plant, one day I, too, will drown.

Ran Walker is the author of 22 books, including the 50-word story collection THE STRANGE MUSEUM. He teaches creative writing at Hampton University in Virginia.