The story of the week for January 24 to 28 is…
Ripples (Another misadventure of The Broken Boys) by Bob Thurber
SALMAN ANSARI: Holy War
A menacing, mass-murdering, monstrous tyrant ruled ruthlessly over decades of death and destruction.
All fell at the foot of his castle, until the day his throne was finally toppled, not by a hero of legend, army of assault, or fire-breathing dragon, but by the unstoppable force of thoughts and prayers.
Salman Ansari is writing and illustrating a book of fables. You can follow his writing through his newsletter, Quick Brown Fox, and on Twitter at @daretorant.
CAROL TYMANN: Same Genes?
We looked like twins, but:
I read Nancy Drew; she broke her leg falling off a “borrowed” bike.
I baked cakes; she climbed out her bedroom window.
I played with Barbie dolls; she smoked cigarettes at eleven.
I wasn’t shocked when my sister fell into a sewer.
I was envious.
Carol Tymann is a retired kindergarten teacher who doubles as an amateur writer and actress. Outside of writing, her favorite pastimes include reading, baking, and creating imaginary worlds with her granddaughter. She is grateful to FiftyWordStories.com for the inspiration and opportunity to submit her work.
CHELLA COURINGTON: Longing
In a pinstripe suit he appeared at dusk, holding a white rose like the one he’d offered her in the café, sitting across from each other, the candle’s flame between. He’d laughed long and deep, the fire dancing to his cadence, foreshadowing all that might be—and still she beckoned.
Chella Courington (she/her) is a writer and teacher whose poetry and fiction appear in numerous anthologies and journals including MoonPark Review, The Los Angeles Review, and New World Writing. A Pushcart, Best Small Fictions, Best of the Net, and Best New Poets Nominee, Courington was raised in the Appalachian south and now lives in California. She’s published five chapbooks of flash fiction and five of poetry. Her recent microchap of poetry is Good Trouble, Origami Poems Project, and forthcoming is Hell Hath, Maverick Duck Press.
ALEXANDRA KEISTER: Mushroom Hunting
“Watch out.”
You point to the stinging nettle, hanging innocently with its vaguely-heart-shaped leaves.
I’ve never been stung.
Try it, you say.
Grinning, I let it brush over my arm.
With a laugh, you take my hand.
Safe.
I admire the novel red mark, burning as we continue our walk.
Alexandra has recently been introduced to mushroom hunting, and hasn’t eaten anything deadly yet!
DEBORAH TAPPER: Sea Change
They say you drowned. But I glimpse your face through spindrift. Hear whispers waiting in every shell. I dream you dance under moonlit waves, hair streaming weed. Our daughter’s asking questions. I hold her close, knowing she’ll follow you. She cries like a seabird tonight, her eyes reflecting the ocean.
Deborah writes at an old desk surrounded by five hundred pet bugs.
BOB THURBER: Ripples (Another misadventure of The Broken Boys)
Whenever the air smelled like rain all of the boys hurried down to the pond to watch the first raindrops paint circles on the surface of the water. The lighter the rain the further the circles spread before overlapping, and the better the show. Downpours were no fun at all.
Bob Thurber is the author of six books. Regarded as a master of Flash and Micro Fiction, his work has appeared in Esquire and other magazines, been anthologized 60 times, received a long list of awards, and been utilized in schools and colleges throughout the world. He resides in Massachusetts. Visit his website at BobThurber.net.
2021 Story of the Year Finalists
Here are the twelve incredible finalists for the 2021 Story of the Year award!
JANUARY: Homecoming by Finn Burnett
FEBRUARY: I Call My Mother by Jennifer L. Freed
MARCH: Bonkers by Robert Markovich
APRIL: A man (not her husband) by N. West Moss
MAY: Righteous Defiance, Newfoundland 1951 by Tawnia Courage
JUNE: Father’s Day Again (For Sarah Kate 1980 – 2010) by Bob Thurber
JULY: Takiwatanga by Deirdre Smith
AUGUST: They all Take her Photo in the Lounge by Marie Little
SEPTEMBER: Moment by Fiona Kamal
OCTOBER: The Man at the Door by Cathrine Goldstein
NOVEMBER: Only a Minor Miracle by Sam Hall
DECEMBER: Fish Rain by Deborah Tapper
The winner, as chosen by editor Tim Sevenhuysen, will be announced on Sunday, January 30!
The prize for the Story of the Year winner is:
- $50 (Canadian)
- Enshrinement in the 50WS Hall of Fame
Let everyone know your favourite story in the comments!
Throwback: In 2014, Bob Thurber won the Story of the Year award with his piece The Mapmaker’s Calligraphist Daughter. In 2015, Guy Preston took the prize with One Job Away From Retirement. The 2016 winner was Jennifer L. Freed, for Aunt Peg. In 2017, Constellations by Jonathan Kosik won the award. In 2018, Bob Thurber won his second Story of the Year award for The Summer of Sweet Mary (circa 1972). In 2019, Evan McMurry won the Story of the Year for After the Water. The 2020 story of the year was Your Pills by Jennifer L. Freed.
GR LeBLANC: Rules Still Apply
We knew the rules. Grandpa Keller’s old Bechstein piano was off limits.
On the day of his funeral, Aunt Ruby serenaded us with several of Grandpa’s favourite tunes—on his beloved Bechstein.
We raised some hell. Literally.
Turns out Grandpa Keller still doesn’t take kindly to anyone touching his piano.
G.R. LeBlanc is a Canadian haiku poet and fiction writer who has always been fascinated by the otherworldly and unexplained. Learn more about her at sleekbio.com/grleblanc.
BOB McWILLIAMS: Ticket to Nowhere
I excitedly opened the envelope. At last, my senior citizen train pass was in my hands! I can ride for free anywhere in the city. All those years commuting and paying for that privilege are over. As a retiree, I ride for myself now.
But I have nowhere to go.
Bob is retired and writes when he is not busy with retirement. The past two years of semi-isolation have not been kind. Bob is looking forward to a better and more productive 2022.