Jerry pulled his clothes, the sleeping bag, and Fredrico’s suitcase out from under the dumpster. One of the girls took the case. They all walked in silence as Charlie led them into the other side of the alley. “What have you got in here,” one of the girls carrying his horn case asked. “That’s Fredrico. ” She didn’t understand. Jerry stopped and took the suitcase from her. He opened it up in his arms. “Why it’s just a…
The driver pretended he was talking on the phone. Jerry tried to let it go even though he felt anger bubbling up. Panhandling dipped into his well of hate giving him a squirrel stomach like his father’s glare. His earnest eyes met ears and bald spots as the drivers sat in their cars pretending to play with the radio – or do other things – to avoid talking to him. The constant rejection provoked anger, shame, regret,…
Another rejection arrived in the email. Of course, writing is not something I jumped into because it would make me rich and famous. Well, perhaps famous. But I never had the idea my writing would generate an income. I write because I feel like it. *** A Conversation “I saw these buildings as more pumpkin-like.” “They are orange.” “Yes, but they are square. You called it the pumpkin patch.” “Well, yeah.” “I saw buildings a bit…
Despite the title, this is not an invitation to slow torture. It’s an invitation to subscribe to my newsletter for updates on writing projects, ideas, writing tips, and a whole bunch of inspiration. Come on, it will be fun. [yikes-mailchimp form=”1″ title=”1″ description=”1″ submit=”Join the Newsletter”] Other Writings You May Like July Newsletter What We Have Here is a Failure to Communicate Second Writing: Proofreading and Editing Skills Other Worlds
Water leaked out of the cliff forming a irrigation waterfall from the alfalfa, potato, and corn fields north of Hagerman. The photographers pushed off from the shore in a long boat headed toward the island in the middle of the Snake River. The mayflies rose up in the spring sun darting around the passengers. A single fly landed on Tom’s cheek. He brushed it away in a casual sweep. He pulled his green hat down…
The alarm reminding him to take his medicine alerted every two hours. If he forgot, the alarm grew insistent and demanded he satisfy its need. He put the alarm on snooze. Sometimes he couldn’t take care of the plea. The pills sat in a drawer far away. This time, he finished mile four on the indoor cycle and started uphill. The alarm made him ashamed; a grown man tethered to a pill bottle. He tapped…
[aesop_image imgwidth=”850″ img=”https://wordsmithholler.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/background-84678_1280.jpg” credit=”Pixabay” align=”left” lightbox=”on” captionposition=”left” revealfx=”off”] The summer blaze charred up the ravine ending at the meadow ringed by blackened trees. The meadow grass remained singed on the corner closest to the burnt saplings and their trunks were starting to fall down. The fire burned the meadow months ago and as the grass struggled to grow back a small truck bounced over rocks next to the burn. An old man, Jay Don, with whiskers from…
[aesop_image imgwidth=”800″ img=”https://wordsmithholler.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/hedag-brougham-electric-77644_1920.jpg” credit=”Pixabay” align=”left” lightbox=”on” captionposition=”left” revealfx=”off”] Listing the priorities of his life, God came first, family second, and then his company. God wanted him to worry about others, Cettie pleaded with him to replace the kerosene lamps, and the Standard Oil Company directors warned him not to buy the Lima oil fields. The result was a parlor smelling like skunk oil, sooty lights, and guests detesting a visit. Electricity powered bright, clean light and he appreciated its harmony. The failure in…
[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”https://wordsmithholler.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/bokeh-1033539_1920.jpg” credit=”Pixabay” align=”right” lightbox=”on” captionposition=”left” revealfx=”off”] Three days earlier I studied all night with a girlfriend for a physics exam and afterward drove four classmates 12 hours to San Diego for spring break. The entire trip the girls giggled and cackled behind me while a Korean kid sat silent up front. I decided we scared Jae. Although, being a confused immigrant might also explain his silence. Either way, he only said thanks when I dropped him off…
Ah, Christmas. The time of year when all humanity’s doubts become hidden by hope. Some people thrive in the bustle and others wither. What better way to celebrate the holiday than to write a 100-word Drabble about Christmas? You can read my Drabble about two children expecting to miss Santa in a new anthology of stories published by the Fiction Writers Group. Get the free PDF here: http://writersanarchy.com/press-releases/all-i-want-for-christmas Other Writings You May Like That’s a Wrap A…