DAVID RAE: Afterwards

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

When you called, I raced round to your flat like you knew I would.

Afterwards, we sat in the kitchen, drinking coffee and sharing a cigarette.

It’s so good to be back together I told you, but you shook your head; Mike must never find out about this you insisted.

David has moved on and now writes 50-word stories. He has most recently had work published in The Foliate Oak, Helios Quarterly, Gnu Magazine, The Machinery, Three Drops From the Cauldron, Summer Fling – Tales of Seduction, Short Tale 100, Blink-Ink, and 50-Word Stories.

RACHEL REDGATE: Wedding Album

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

The photographer captured it all: the bride’s tumble down the aisle, the flower girl bawling through the service, the cake collapsing at first cut. No one had wanted a slice, anyway, after the groom’s wet sneeze.

If only I had remembered to give the not-so-happy couple that horseshoe I brought.

Rachael is an English teacher in Scotland.

CANDACE KUBINEC: Hurricane

Submissions, Touching, , , ,

Mother Moon placed her howling baby into the calm water, a bath to sooth the tantrum.

Baby kicked with rage. The water rose up. Toy cities, filled with people, were buffeted about.

Small cars floated as roads became rivers, until the child wore itself out, falling asleep amid the ruins.

Candace Kubinec wrote this story with thoughts for Texas.

Editor: To support recovery from Hurricane Harvey, please consider donating through the Red Cross or another organization.

CHRISTINA DALCHER: A More Authentic Roman Holiday

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

“When in Rome,” June said, having already bought the Total Gladiator Experience ticket.

Only when Jack entered the arena—its sand stained from previous shows—when lions roared behind gates, when he caught June on Husband Number Four’s arm, did he regret going too far in adopting the local customs.

Christina Dalcher writes stories, many of which have beginnings, middles, and ends, although not necessarily in that order. Find her work at (b)OINK, Whiskey Paper, The Molotov Cocktail, and lots of other places. Find Christina at christinadalcher.com or @CVDalcher, or hiding in a closet re-reading a tattered copy of The Shining.

JOHN H. DROMEY: Keeping It Real

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

The on-location taping of a reality TV program was interrupted when a nearby mountain peak exploded, spewing smoke, ash, and molten lava high in the air.

The program’s producer also blew his top—figuratively. An assistant asked the distraught man what was wrong.

“That bleeping volcano isn’t following the script!”

John H. Dromey was born in northeast Missouri, a long way from any active volcanoes, but growing up on a farm, he used to use Lava soap.

MARK FARLEY: Fostering the Minotaur’s Daughter

Adventure, Odd, Submissions, , , ,

At twelve years old, she stood twelve feet tall. Her horns added another ten inches. The shaggy hair on her face and chest was thick and uncombed. Flies teased around her head like dark memories, darting in to nestle on her shoulders. She never allowed me to brush them away.

Mark Farley (mumbletoes.blogspot.com) writes novels, flash fiction and the occasional poem.

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.

BILL COX: Self-Harm

Adventure, Odd, Submissions, , , ,

A body on the floor, warm blood drip, drip, dripping onto the carpet.

He has my face. My beautiful young face.

I was going to set things right. That’s what the time machine was for. But he wouldn’t listen and I got angry.

I always was my own worst enemy.

Bill lives in Aberdeen, Scotland where, in between the odd piece of writing, he plots the downfall of humanity on behalf of his Martian overlords.

GORDON LYSEN: The Games We Play

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

“It’s time to go,” she said.

“In a sec,” I called back.

“No! Right now!” she said, even louder, with more than a hint of annoyance.

“Okay, okay!” I screamed back.

The door slammed and I knew it was too late.

I turned back to level two of Panda Pops.

Gordon Lysen is enjoying his retirement, filling his days with painting, carving, writing, and the occasional game of Panda Pop.