The story of the week for December 22 to 26 is Labels by Barry O’Farrell.
It wasn’t one of the Christmas stories, but it was so well executed, and so insightful, that it demanded selection. A really strong piece.
CONNELL WAYNE REGNER: Ken and Barbie’s Christmas Feast
Barbara bent over the dumpster. “There’re some good pickings tonight, Ken.”
Ken was mesmerized by the extravagance of the food. “It must be Christmas!” he lamented. “I remember a time when I had all this and a warm home…”
“Hurry, Ken, if you want any. The others have spotted us!”
Connell chose to write about this, unplanned until a few minutes ago, because he has (long) realized that if we all ate a little less then perhaps others could eat a little more.
NICOLE J SIMMS: The Unwanted Gift
Jessica spotted a present by the Christmas tree. Excited, she rushed over and picked it up.
Her eyes studied the words on the gift tag: From Hubby.
“No, it can’t be.” Trembling, she turned around.
Jessica screamed.
Her dead husband stood before her with the knife still in his chest.
Nicole J. Simms is a UK horror writer who also likes to explore other genres, such as crime and fantasy. She has been writing stories for over two years, and has so far had five short stories published, including “Caught up in Murder”, which can be found in the Dark Bard anthology. You can visit her at nicoles-designs.co.uk/NicoleJSimms.
CHRISTOPHER DEHON: My Brother’s Last Christmas
Mom told my older brother and sister to let their little brother have one more year of believing. Could they be kind teenagers for Christmas?
We laugh now, all adults, over wine.
My brother died last year. My mother ruined Christmas for him when he was just 13 years old.
Chris Dehon is a child and adolescent psychologist living in upstate New York with his wife and daughter. Although he’s been in New York for nearly 10 years, he considers himself a New Orleanian for life.
CATHERINE MATHEWS: Child’s Christmas Morning
I run barefoot down cold dark stairs
to see the star-topped tree bathed in coloured light, shimmering with silver rain.
and glimpse the tissue wrappings under its branches.
My stocking hangs waiting, lumpy with gifts;
racing up to my parents’ warm bed
I open it to share a
Merry Christmas!
Catherine Mathews, retired from the Foreign Service, was stationed in Paris, Rome, Tel Aviv, Athens, Frankfurt, and Istanbul. She now lives in northern Virginia, has published a memoir, and is attempting to write short stories from her life experiences.
BARRY O’FARRELL: Labels
I stroll past a group of local girls idly gossiping in the street.
One of them deliberately walks up behind me and pulls out the neck of my new sweater, exposing the label.
“It’s crap,” she calls loudly to the others. “He’s wearing crap.”
This is my introduction to labels.
Barry O’Farrell is an actor living in Brisbane, Australia. He is enjoying the challenge of writing microfiction. More of his work can be found at A Story In 100 Words.
JENNIFER L FREED: Things We Told Them of These Holidays
That there once lived a man
now called St. Nick, who secretly
helped children in need
That we light eight candles
because Grandpa
did, and his people before,
a chain of light over 2,000 years
That we can’t wrap
our love,
but it’s love beyond boundaries
we’re meant to give
Jennifer L Freed grew up with Christmas and Chanukah. Now her children do the same. She writes mostly poetry and, sometimes, very short stories. To read more of her work, please visit her website, jfreed.weebly.com.
MORGAN WEHNER: The Desk
I held her delicate hand while listening to the faint sniffling in the room. I watched doctors come and go as her breathing gradually slowed.
I’d never known her well.
Suddenly, she whispered, “Desk,” and slowly slipped away.
Later, sitting at the desk, I read the words, “I love you.”
Morgan Wehner is a thirteen-year-old girl who likes to read and write, play sports, and eat.
DEBORAH DAVIS: Father Christmas
On Christmas Eve, six-year-old Debbie woke in the night to a jolly “ho ho ho” coming from the living room. Trembling with excitement, she lay still in her bed. Santa musn’t know she was awake.
Five decades later, she fervently wished she could hear her father’s “ho ho ho” again.
Deborah Davis misses her Dad every Christmas, especially when stringing the lights on the tree.
OLGA KLEZOVITCH: My Ruined Christmas Party
I managed to buy myself an underground bunker just in time for the 2012 end-of-the-world early Christmas party. My guests and I said our prayers, drank our champagne and got ready for the new beginning.
It didn’t happen.
Everyone went home highly disappointed. So much for that stupid Mayan Prophecy!
Olga Klezovitch is a scientist who lives in Seattle. Her previous work has appeared in 50-Word Stories, Necon E-Books, and A Story In 100 Words.