CHRISTA PLANKO: Not All Men Are Dogs

Amusing, Submissions, , , , ,

Bitten badly once, Linda felt twice shy. Yet Bob seemed safe.

The night he invited her over, she pecked his cheek as he opened his door.

His response: “Whoa—down, boy!”

Was she too forward, she wondered? Or was he… excited?

Then the answer struck—all furry paws and sloppy kisses.

Christa is a professional writer with a passion for creative expression. She has had her poetry and short stories featured in several publications, including River Poets Journal, The Write Room, Tanka Journal, Haiku Journal, and Every Day Fiction. Currently she resides in South Jersey with her six feline muses.

PAT CROSS: Steps

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

The massive doors latched behind her nearly closing on the white satin train. Her hands shook as she clasped the lilies to her breast.

She began the long slow walk into her new life with eyes downcast.

The lilies fell as she raised her eyes and wondered: Who is he?

Pat is a retired teacher who spent 20 years trying to convince 13-year-olds that algebra is valuable.

MARY SHEEHAN: Peter’s Secret Snip

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, , , , ,

Peter hadn’t inherited his father’s disease, but a child of his could. He couldn’t allow it.

“This won’t hurt,” the doctor promised. It bloody did! He deserved that for not telling Clara, who desperately wanted a baby.

A year later, Clara announced, “I’m pregnant!”

Seemed she had a secret, too.

Mary lives and writes in southeast Ireland.

BILL DIAMOND: Shower Dreams

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

An outdoor shower was an infatuation for Jennifer. She insisted on this feature at the cabin. The idea of showering naked outside was thrilling. It spoke of freedom, and other things missing in her life.

She never did disrobe. But she could.

If Charles kept acting this way, she would.

Bill Diamond is a writer living in Evergreen, Colorado. Recently, several of his initial stories have been published.

KELSEY JOSEPHSON: Dress Code

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, , , , , ,

“You can’t wear that!”

“Why?”

“It’s hot pink, and too short!”

“So?”

“We’re going to church!”

“Jesus won’t mind.”

“But your legs. Everyone will see-”

“See what?”

Silence.

“I’ll wear what I want, when I want.”

Elderly Mrs. Franks wore the dress to church, scarred legs and all.

“Oh, Mom.”

Kelsey Josephson is an introvert who enjoys connecting with others through writing and mixed-media. She lives with her husband, two young children, and a very sensible cat. She can be found on Instagram.

MATT McHUGH: Termination of Service

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

“You may get several more years with immediate, aggressive treatment. Are you ready?”

Bill’s wife blubbered. He’d given her jewelry, vacations, homes, children, and a 401k from a dead-end job. Now she wept as tumors crept through his body.

“Yes, doctor!” she replied.

Finally reclaiming his life, Bill whispered, “No.”

Matt McHugh was born in suburban Pennsylvania, attended LaSalle University in Philadelphia, and after a few years as a Manhattanite, currently calls New Jersey home. Some of his work is available at mattmchugh.com.

TODD CRAWFORD: Footprints

Artistic, Poetry, Submissions, , ,

I lie awake
Dreaming, riding
Sand wet as molasses,
Smooth as dusk,
Your hair spread like the night.

I lie awake and
The ocean breathes
Inside me
Until clear light of dawn pours
Through the bedroom window
Stirring dust in the air
Like great white gulls,
Scattering your memory everywhere.

Todd is an amateur writer and poet. This poem is one of several he is working on, in his own collection called “Cravings”.

KAI GAITLEY: Stuck in a Rut

Adventure, Amusing, Submissions, , , , ,

Tears flooded down her cheeks. The girl’s most outrageous fantasy had been realized: a pair of unicorns, in nature.

As she surveyed their matted, blood-soaked coats with horror, her eyes froze on contact with the victor, who, looking elated but puzzled, said: “Why do you think we have the horn?”

Kai Gaitley is pursuing an English major at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and enjoys discovering the energy that resides within every format, whether it is a sonnet, a blog, or a well researched essay. This dalliance with fiftywordism is a new and exacting path, full of high-stakes promise and brutal editing decisions.

KARLA DEARSLEY: A Yarn with a Foreign Twist

Amusing, Submissions, Top Stories, Touching, , , , , ,

Emily knitted dreams into every row on the socks she made for her son Frank. Thoughts far away on palm-laced shores, she knitted and purled from toe to heel, ribbed a cuff of tropical sunsets.

Frank complained they made his feet itch.

He runs a bar in the Bahamas now.

Karla Dearsley’s stories, flash fiction, and poetry have appeared online and in print on both sides of the Atlantic. Her fantasy novels are available on Amazon and Smashwords. Find out more at ksdearsley.com.