Author: literallystories2014

Miss Hart vs. The State by Carlie Morgan

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This story deals with subjects that some readers may find upsetting.

 

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I’m willing the old lady to take her seat already so the driver can go. Come on, come on, old girl, just pick a seat, any seat.

“Please take mine,” I say and stand. She smiles a paper-thin smile and eases herself onto the damp fabric. I hold onto a pole as the bus shudders onwards and we’re off again.  I take out my phone and replay the message. “Miss Hart, Tabitha is unwell again. Please come and pick her up as soon as possible.”

The way Tabby’s teacher lingers on the word “again” sends a painful throb to my stomach.

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Fourth of July by Jacob Wrich

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The Year You Were Born:

Your mother leaned forward in an aluminum lawn chair, scrunched her toes into the grass as the hot wind blew waves through her summer dress. She took another fleshy bite of watermelon and let her eyes slide closed as she savored the cool sweetness that filled her mouth. Your dad sat at the picnic table drinking a can of beer. He cupped a match from the breeze and lit a cigarette, and when your mother leaned forward, he stole a glimpse of her swollen breasts through his exhale.

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The Carnassa Sea by R.C. Capasso

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“It’s time to go down to the surface.”

Mayli turned her face against the cabin wall. “I’m too tired.”

Tama took a breath. “I know you are. But you’ll like the surface, and it’s an easy transport.”

Mayli swiveled her head back to reveal a pale face, too thin, too creased for such a young age. “Easy?”

Of course nothing was easy for Mayli. The encroaching paralysis brought pain with every movement. But that was the point, wasn’t it?

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