Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

but, still (or the magic door)

Susan felt like a fool. It was 1977 not 1957. My god, she was a liberated woman! How could she fall for his line?   Stupid! But, still, she stayed. Remembering. Champagne. His voice in her ear. “I can’t tell you where I’m going but meet me here on Christmas Eve.” Stupid! Did she think… Continue reading but, still (or the magic door)

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

Time

Time has lost all meaning. Had it been one year? Twenty years? One hundred? More? She had stopped trying to count the days long ago. But she had believed--really believed--she'd be able to note the seasons. Hoping to mark the years. Imagining she’d be able to picture their faces as time passed. She had wanted… Continue reading Time

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Jessie tried (unsuccessfully) to keep her expression neutral, but the cottage was perfect! Exactly as advertised. Exposed brick. Plank floors. Fireplaces. A patio for morning coffee and afternoon wine. “So what do you think?” “It seems nice but …” She scrambled for some price-reducing flaws. “… but what’s with all the garlic?” “Seller quirk. Easy… Continue reading Welcome to the Neighborhood

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

Nothing

Nothing could have prepared Sue for the surge. She had always known she was different but this …. This was more than different. This was some freak level stuff. She could feel the agitated hum of the crowd as they realized something wasn’t right. And then a shift. Subtle at first. Agitation turning into fear.… Continue reading Nothing

Flash Fiction, Random Rants, tutto e niente

Who’s Counting

Three days. It had been three days since they delivered the box. Technically, three days, four hours, and 37 minutes. But who’s counting. She knew he was there. The gate squeaked. It had been over two weeks since he’d left. Technically 15 days, three hours, and 22 minutes. But who’s counting. Or 14 days, 21… Continue reading Who’s Counting

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

Karen v. Karen

“If only there were more.” “More what Aunt Karen?” Glaring out the window, she pressed record before declaring “More people like me. Patriotic citizens. People who care about what’s happening to this country.” “He’s just cleaning the windows. Why are you recording him?” I hadn’t seen her in years but I steeled myself for the… Continue reading Karen v. Karen

History, Random Rants, tutto e niente

Is that wallpaper moving or have murder hornets invaded (my mind)?!

Today, Fandango asks us to consider whether we think it’s premature for states to be lifting the stay-at-home, shelter-in-place, and social distancing restrictions? Or do you believe that it’s about time they were rescinded? Once they are removed, how quickly are you likely to resume living your life as you did in the pre-pandemic days?… Continue reading Is that wallpaper moving or have murder hornets invaded (my mind)?!

Flash Fiction, tutto e niente

after now

The view looked like some kind of soulless painting. Beautiful but no signs of life. She used to know the names for artistic stuff like that. Photorealistic, maybe? Hell. It was all apocalyptic now. Unexpectedly, tears blurred her vision. She thought her grief had run its course but seeing those empty chairs. So expectant. So… Continue reading after now