Sunday, December 15, 2013

Alone

Today's prompt words in bold.

Emma had waited in the wine shop for a rendezvous that never materialized. She tilted her glass, sipped. The liquid tasted brackish, earthy. 

She thought they had something, a spark, a magnetic attraction. The goblet on the opposite side of the table waited too. She tipped it over, let the wine spill over the edge.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Surprise!

Some decisions aren’t black or white. I understand that. Sometimes it’s what you believe in, like heaven and hell. To some they don't exist. For others, they give meaning to life. It's not even a matter of conservative vs liberal. There are always two sides. Fat and skinny. Ugly vs pretty. Smart or dumb.

Anyway, here I kneel, as nervous as a dog with severe separation anxiety, my bent knee aching, my back stiffening, anticipating her answer. If she takes much longer, I may not be able to stand. How embarrassing it will be if she has to help me up. 

It's probably only been a few seconds, but it feels like I'm in a doctor's waiting room. What's wrong? Why hasn't she responded?

Well, she is shaking, and her hands are over her mouth, and there are tears in her eyes. Maybe she responded and I didn't hear it. Maybe it was a curse word. Maybe her mouth locked shut. Maybe she swallowed her tongue. Maybe she's having a heart attack. Maybe I should have waited.

“Yes. Yes, I'll marry you." She bends down and kisses me, a wisp of gray hair tickles my cheek, and I feel relief. "When should I move in?"


What? Move in? With me? I didn't say anything about living together before we got married. It's too soon for that. We've only known each other for a few months. What's her hurry? Come on, Jack, think of something. OMG. What now? Like I said, not all decisions are black or white.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

His Wife’s Newest Diet Fad

Today's prompt words in bold.

Dan knocked over the umbrella stand during his latest nocturnal expedition to the kitchen. He hoped he hadn’t awakened Sue. He listened for footsteps on the squeaky stairs. Nothing. Delighted, Dan moved on. He opened the fridge door and gagged as the smell of pastrami filled his nostrils. He hated pastrami, and Sue knew it. (55words)

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Heads Bruce Wins, Tails Bruce Wins

This week's prompt words in bold. A few readers have asked where I get the ideas for these shorties. I don't have a clue; but given this week's effort, it's obviously from some dark place where none of you want to be.

Welcome to MY playhouse. No miniature crap here. No silly butterscotch balls. Lots of real scotch and rum and whiskey, though. You'll need the strong stuff once the fightin' starts. You'll see. Gravity is a bitch when you're dropped from way up. What? The bag in the corner? That's where the loser ends up. Ready? (55 words)

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Two Sentence Horror Stories

I was pointed to a site containing a few two sentence horror stories chosen from a group of stories submitted to Reddit. Of course, I couldn't help but give a try. Thanks, Colleen. Here's my effort.

Daddy said he loved his little princess more than anything in the world. He thought I loved him too, until I aimed the shotgun at his crotch.