Tag Archives: Bob Thurber

BOB THURBER: A Dozen Irons In The Fire

Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, , , , ,

Every day was the same.

Soon as Mom got home they started.

Back and forth they went.

Around and around they went.

The volume of their voices fluctuated, depending on which room they were in.

Dad wasn’t working, wasn’t looking.

He talked about the life-changing phone calls he was expecting.

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, despite severe vision loss, he continues to write every day. Visit his website at BobThurber.net.

BOB THURBER: Snake Food

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After paying in cash so there would be no paper trail,
after sneaking it in under his shirt,
after hiding it all weekend in the back of the freezer,
after thawing it in the microwave while she bathed,
he put the dead mouse under her pillow,
and then he waited.

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, despite severe vision loss, he continues to write every day. Visit his website at BobThurber.net.

BOB THURBER: Midnight Visit to The Highest Hills

Artistic, Submissions, Touching, , ,

Late into the night, the child returned.
She slowly unclenched her fist.
There, in the palm of her little hand, lay a radiant star.
It was no bigger than when it had hovered in the sky.
But it was brighter now, as luminous as the glow intensifying on the horizon.

Author’s Note: For Sydnee, with love.

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, despite severe vision loss, he continues to write every day. Visit his website at BobThurber.net.

BOB THURBER: The Night the News Came

Submissions, Top Stories, Touching, , , ,

We talked for hours, while making lists of people to call. Halfway to morning we went to bed. We were shattered. Before we fell asleep the wind picked up, gusting snow off the trees. As the branches lightened, they scratched against the windows, like something asking to be let in.

Author’s Note: For Sarah Kate 1980-2010

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, despite severe vision loss, he continues to write every day. Visit his website at BobThurber.net.

BOB THURBER: Everything you need to know about my wife’s Gaelic-Green/Irish-blue eyes.

Submissions, Top Stories, Touching, , ,

We were stoned. Bowie was singing about Major Tom.

It wasn’t our first kiss, but it was our first nose-to-nose lingering stare.

Up close her eyes looked like something you might see through a telescope.

At the center, a sapphire sun floated in the diffused light of undeniable, lasting warmth.

Author’s Note: For C, of course.

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, despite severe vision loss, he continues to write every day. Visit his website at BobThurber.net.

BOB THURBER: The Night I Fell Off The Curb On A Street Corner At The End Of The World And Landed In A Painting

Artistic, Submissions, , , , , ,

The diner was a clean, well lighted place, open around-the-clock.

I was working the counter the night Edward Hopper stopped in.

He asked me why I wasn’t wearing a paper hat.

I shrugged and said, “The cook wears a hairnet.”

“Well, I’m giving you a hat,” he said, sketching feverishly.

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, despite severe vision loss, he continues to write every day. Visit his website at BobThurber.net.

BOB THURBER: Lasting Impressions

Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, , , , ,

Every time the spacebar sticks or a letter key jams
I remind myself I was not always a ghost with no voice.
Though I honestly cannot remember a moment of any life,
or a time when I was not constantly beating an old rusty typewriter to haunt an empty house.

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, despite severe vision loss, he continues to write every day. Visit his website at BobThurber.net.

BOB THURBER: The Cat Lady

Amusing, Submissions, Touching, ,

Mom locked grandma up after the landlord found stacks of newspapers, books and miscellaneous junk, floor to ceiling in every room. Diagnosis: Hoarder disorder.

But in truth, she was a Cat Herder, a proud breeder of kittens, and those walls were the pens, corrals and stalls of Grandma’s Kitten Ranch.

Over the years Bob Thurber’s work has received a long list of awards and prizes. His most recent book is a collection of brief stories titled “Nothing But Trouble.” His first novel, “Paperboy: A Dysfunctional Novel,” was recently rereleased. Visit BobThurber.net.

BOB THURBER: Midnight Curfew

Artistic, Submissions,

Daddy was waiting. I saw the TV flickering. I held my breath. I’d already removed my shoes. If I slipped past the doorway I could crawl upstairs undetected. Once in bed he couldn’t do anything. No matter how loud he screamed I’d squeeze shut my eyes and fake dead-to-the-world sleep.

Over the years Bob Thurber’s work has received a long list of awards and prizes. His most recent book is a collection of brief stories titled “Nothing But Trouble.” His first novel, “Paperboy: A Dysfunctional Novel,” was recently rereleased. Visit BobThurber.net.

BOB THURBER: Legally Blind

Amusing, Submissions, Touching, , ,

Grandpa holds my hand. He taps his cane. His hearing aid emits a horrible hum. His dead eye looks like a winter moon, his right eye, which works well enough for him to manage, glints like crumpled tinfoil in direct sunlight. Whenever he bangs into furniture he spits out sparks.

Over the years Bob Thurber’s work has received a long list of awards and prizes. His most recent book is a collection of brief stories titled “Nothing But Trouble.” His first novel, “Paperboy: A Dysfunctional Novel,” was recently rereleased. Visit BobThurber.net.