BOB THURBER: Season Greetings And Untimely Departures

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Every Christmas has unique vibrations.

2010 was tremulous.

Our grandchildren were three and four. They didn’t know their mother was dead.

I imagine they held to the hope she’d surprise them with a last-minute appearance.

There was more chance a fat man in a sleigh would land on the roof.

Bob Thurber is the author of “Paperboy: A Dysfunctional Novel” and two collections of stories. A celebrated master of Flash and Micro Fiction, his work has appeared in 60 anthologies, received dozens of awards, and been used in schools and colleges throughout the world. He resides in Massachusetts where, though legally blind, he continues to write every day. Visit his website at BobThurber.net.

JOHN B SINCLAIR: High Tech Santa

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Santa’s moved with the times and now receives millions of emails from the world’s children. He’s overjoyed to find the Christmas Spirit still thriving in some hearts:

“Dear Santa,

“Please deliver my brand new smartphone to my best friend, Lucy, whose own phone is so yesterday.

“Thanks, Jenny (age 7)”

John B. Sinclair is a much-travelled Scot who has now returned to Scotland, where he enjoys freelance writing on a variety of subjects.

JODY KISH: Company

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I never had company until I got sick. Then people started showing up. Wondering how I was doing. How I was feeling. They were so sorry. On and on.

I had been alone for years. I liked it. I didn’t mind.

Why couldn’t they see me before I got sick?

Jody loves the mystery of the human mind and what makes a person tick. Sometimes she wishes that she didn’t know.

MAJA SCHELER: Upon A Midnight Clear: The First Christmas

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

She stumbled in, water trickling down her legs. A sharp pain squeezed her and she bellowed a wild cry.

Between the pains, she opened her eyes. A pair of black marbles stared back at her. The donkey matched her pitch and brayed, to which she replied, “The King is coming.”

Maja Scheler is a creative writer and Spanish-speaking enthusiast residing in the Pacific Northwest. Mother to three boys, her days are wild and rewarding.

ROSEMARY BOYD: Shades of Green

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Just look at all of the different soft shades of green!

His van was a garden shed on wheels, full of baskets, gloves, tools, and a Folger’s coffee tin with a roll of toilet paper.

Never had to use it, but it sure was comforting to know it was there.

Rosemary is a retired nurse who enjoys gardening.

MARK TOWERS: Resolutions

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“I’m fat,” Chris told his mirror image, clutching his paunch. “Diet in the new year, Mary.”

Another year passed. His resolution lacked resolve.

“Oh Chris,” Mary soothed. “That’s why the children and I love you.” She tugged his beard towards her and kissed him. “Santa is supposed to be cuddly.”

Mark Towers writes children’s books, short stories and poetry.

HARRY DEMAREST: Time to Say Goodbye

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I looked into her eyes.
I held her hand.

I should have said, “I love you.”
Should have said, “Thank you for the good times.”

But I was angry still,
after all those years.

I looked into her eyes.
I dropped her hand.
I said,”Goodbye,”
and then I died.

Harry Demarest has written 30 50-word stories that have been published, and another dozen or so that were not good enough. Two of his longer stories have been published.

MIRIAM STEIN: Demoralizing Advice

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Overweight girls don’t have many dates
My mother told me when I was 15
You might never get married

The diet doctor prescribed appetite-controlling pills

When I was still so hungry
Mother said, “Eat some lettuce”

I knew lettuce wouldn’t fill the emptiness in my stomach,
or in my heart.

Miriam Stein is a social worker, writer, and the author of Make Your Voice Matter With Lawmakers: No Experience Necessary. See more at makeyourvoicematter.com.

THOMAS A NORTH: Aunt Scrooge

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Jim lived with Uncle Roy and Aunt Millie. Once he confronted Millie about a rumour he’d heard. “They say Santa isn’t real, and my presents from him are really from Roy.”

“Honestly, Jim,” said Millie. “D’you think I’d let Roy spend that much on you?”

Jim believed for another year.

Thomas A. North lives in rural Ontario, Canada. He has many relatives, and is owned by a grey and white cat.