For every week the war goes on, I plant a row of sunflower seeds. Before long, two rows turn into a dozen. After a while, blooming begins. Soon, golden yellow sunflowers are everywhere. Whenever someone asks how many sunflowers have bloomed, I shake my head and say, Far too many.
Lisa loves quiet walks and coffee. She’s been published in various literary journals, including Blink-Ink and Potato Soup literary journal.
Smells of dinner float out from the trailer parked behind Safeway. Music and voices sound. On a patch of green grass, a child plays, counting daisies. Inside, her parents count crinkly dollars; hoping there’s enough for paper towels, Cheerio’s, a battery-operated desk fan to get them through summer.
Lisa Marie Lopez has been published in a variety of literary journals and venues including Blink-Ink and The Ocotillo Review. She loves coffee, quiet walks, and animals.
In the abandoned field, we find broken shutters, matches, a baseball.
“Anything worth keeping?” Tom asks.
I rummage through endless piles. Nestled inside a tire, mice dream. I remember how Tom collects them for the laboratory. I shake my head and hurry him to the other end of the field.
Lisa Marie Lopez wrote this story.
Once the shop was quiet, she carefully removed the pearls from the glass display and slipped them into her coat pocket. Days later, she called them a gift. They lay heavy on her chest. Even tucked away in velvety lined drawers, the heaviness lingered. In time, they would outweigh everything.
Lisa Marie Lopez resides in northern California, where she enjoys writing in little coffee shops and taking peaceful walks. She’s had stories published in several different journals and venues, including Blink-Ink, From the Depths, and The Ocotillo Review.
Grandma believes in traditions: homemade pie crust, Sunday morning prayer, peanuts at the ballgame. She also believes comfort food can mend anything.
Shortly after her team loses in the World Series, we wait for the clatter of silver tablespoons and egg-beaters and the aroma of cake batter to set in.
Lisa Marie resides in Northern California. She’s had stories published in Blink-Ink and The Ocotillo Review, among others.
We were playing catch in my backyard when Billy started in with his stories.
“My dad met Willie McCovey once.”
My face twitched. “Yeah? Mine met Willie Mays.”
Truth was, neither of us had a father. Still, I pretended to believe Billy’s stories, even though I couldn’t believe my own.
Lisa Marie Lopez resides in Northern California with her husband and two box turtles. She’s been recently published in The Ocotillo Review, From the Depths literary journal, and The Atomic Flyswatter: Vol.1 anthology. Say hello on her Facebook page.
Christmas dinner at Aunt Ruthie’s. The old man beside me looks familiar. He asks, “Ben, have you been good?”
His chuckle fills the entire room, and I remember—fluffy white beard, velvety red suit—Christmas at Grandma’s.
I grin, six again; and from somewhere, beyond icicled houses, sleigh bells jingle.
Lisa Marie Lopez resides in northern California where she enjoys quiet walks and writing fiction. She’s had short stories published in many different literary journals and anthologies, including Train River anthology and From the Depths literary journal. Say hello at facebook.com/authorlisamariefiction
When he spotted his ex-girlfriend on the subway with another man, he turned and faced the window. Their goofy grins shone in the reflection. Next stop, he bustled hastily through the doors and found himself miles away from home, far away from anything he knew, and yet, not far enough.
Lisa Marie Lopez has had stories recently published in Blink-Ink and The Ocotillo Review. She loves baseball, turtles, and writing in cozy little cafes. Visit her on Facebook at Author Lisa Marie Lopez.
Tangy salsa over fried eggs. Buttered toast, sliced in half and glazed with apricot jam. She hasn’t opened a menu in over ten years. Everybody at the corner diner on Hamilton Street knows to call her Suz, and never to ask why certain songs from the jukebox make her cry.
Lisa Marie Lopez has had stories recently published in Blink-Ink and The Ocotillo Review. She loves baseball, turtles, and writing in cozy little cafes. Visit her on Facebook at Author Lisa Marie Lopez.