BACK-TO-SCHOOL – JOHN B SINCLAIR: No Tears

Back-to-School, Submissions, Touching, , , , ,

They had never been apart in five years. Not one day.

Now there was a new woman in his life. Could she handle her Bobby? Those moods?

Saying goodbye would be difficult. No tears, Rachel thought.

She passed his hand to the teacher on his first school day.

Tears flowed.

John B Sinclair now lives in Scotland and is a freelance writer of mostly comedy material to the local news media.

He worked abroad for many years (Bermuda and the Bahamas) and loved his visits to the US. Orlando, New York City, and Boston are his favourite places. JBS enjoys football (soccer) and Maine Lobster.

LEWIS COLE: The Tea

Amusing, Submissions, ,

“Would you like another tea?”

“Ooh, why yes, thank you. So, tell me about the house.”

“Well, it’s got two…”

“No, no, I know all the boring details. Tell me the interesting things.”

“It’s haunted.”

“Haunted! Really?”

“Yes, I’m serious. Who on earth do you think made all the tea?”

Lewis Cole is an English author who writes leisurely. He aims to improve his writing abilities with practice. His work can be found at http://coleshideyhole.blogspot.co.uk.

BRANDON KING: Reflections

Artistic, Submissions, ,

It was easy, in theory. Swim for a while, find the mainland, send help.

I was the strongest, the only survivor who could possibly make the journey. I was the king of the island. The hero.

As my lungs flooded, I could only wonder: can they afford to lose me?

Brandon King is a volunteer for Leading Edge Magazine, an awesome sci-fi/fantasy publication that will publish and/or edit your short stories, poems, or artwork.

BRYAN JOYNER: Foul

Submissions, Touching, ,

Eric approached the plate the exact moment his marriage proposal flashed on the Jumbotron. Swinging early on a changeup, he hit a screamer foul down the third base line, hitting Amy as she beamed at the lights expressing his eternal love, killing her instantly.

The crowd, seeing the Jumbotron, cheered.

Bryan Joyner is a middle-aged banker who read about 50 word stories in Daniel Pink’s book “A Whole New Mind”, and began using the concept to connect with his two college age children. Each of them write stories and send them to each other for feedback.

CAROL AYER: Sacred Vows

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

Furious at our fathers for divorcing our mothers, we made a pact to never marry.

I received her note inviting me to her wedding. The lack of details convinced me she felt guilty.

I was wrong, though. The guilt came not from breaking our vow but from marrying my father.

Carol Ayer’s short fiction has been published by Woman’s World, True Story, Golden Visions Magazine, and The Long and the Short of It.

BO MCGUIRE: A New Era

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

She thought, So long, 25 years of gun-toting, criminal-chasing fun! She was optimistic to embark upon her exciting new career. She had limited experience and would have to wield an apparatus far more powerful than a simple firearm.

Despite these challenges, she smiled and reached for her new weapon, a pen.

Bo McGuire has over 25 years experience as a community corrections professional. Now she is a freelance writer and recently completed a manuscript for a young adult book. She has an M.A. in Social and Public Policy and a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Duquesne University. She is a member of Writer’s Ink, The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and the SM Writer’s Critique Club.

HEDIEH MEHDI ZADEH KASHANI: The Knowing Patient

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, ,

“So… I hear you are God.”

“By God, I am God!”

“And the president?”

“I shall descend on Friday.”

“But that is the twelfth imam!”

“I am him as well.”

“How?”

“One is all, and all is one.”

“I see. Congratulations! You have qualified for the position of supreme leader.”

Hedieh hails from Tehran, Iran. “I live to readjust eyeballs!” said the aspiring poet.

STUART LARNER: Just In Time

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

“Even though you saw your errant husband cremated you still think he’s here in your kitchen?”

“Yes,” she said, regulating the hob and studying the egg timer. “He was always running off when we were married, but now he’s in here so I can keep a close eye on him.”

Stuart is a chartered psychologist, and was mental health expert for XL for Men magazine. He writes plays, poems, and stories. http://stuartlarner.blogspot.com/. He is a cricket enthusiast in North Yorkshire, UK. His latest ebook “Guile and Spin” is available on Amazon.

EMILY RAMSER: Snatched

Artistic, Submissions, Touching, , , ,

Said I’d grow up, even sell the car. Met with that guy from the bar, the one with the wad of cash. But she thinks I skipped out on her and my baby girl.

He had a passion for whiskey and bloodlust. I’d never leave my girls, but he made me.

Emily Ramser is a high school author living part-time between North Carolina and California. She’s been published in a few small online journals such as Vox Poetica and Spinozablue. Her story Sins of Murder will be published in Wolf Craft Anthology this coming fall as well.

JOHN KUJAWSKI: The Pretzel

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

I bought a pretzel at a pretzel stand.  The guy behind the counter told me they were addictive.

I went back later that week but I didn’t have any money.  I robbed the man at gunpoint and took all his pretzels.

I ate them all at home.  The shaking stopped.

John has interests that range from guitars to the Incredible Hulk.  He was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.