All Stories, General Fiction

Two Too Many by Brenda Catron

“So what brings you here today?”

Marguerite, as she told us to call her, was one of those confident women who left you with the impression they always had it together.  I was pretty sure I didn’t like her already.  Marguerite.  Who names their kid that anyway.

Continue reading “Two Too Many by Brenda Catron”

All Stories, General Fiction, Short Fiction

Annie’s Shoes by Donna Aversa

The remarkable thing about catalogues is that Annie could lose herself in the glossy possibilities of the pages. She could pretend that her body, swollen by the side-effects of the steroid treatments, once again could wear the same styles that the impeccably tailored models did. And that she had someplace to wear them. The brunette in the cardinal-red cashmere-blend twin-set with three-quarter sleeves didn’t judge. She had a half-smile that welcomed anyone, even Annie, to copy her look. The paisley scarf is available on page 27 where inset photos show just how to wrap it in three simple steps. The classic black pointed toe pumps are on page 56.

Continue reading “Annie’s Shoes by Donna Aversa”

All Stories, Latest News, Short Fiction

Week 113 – Pickles, Crackers And James Wayne.

Another week has come and gone. I can’t believe that we are into March with Week 113.

I’ve been thinking about all those friends and relatives who say things that inspire. Oh and I’m not talking about any sense what-so-ever! I’m talking about the belters that make you choke on your chocolate milk!

Continue reading “Week 113 – Pickles, Crackers And James Wayne.”

All Stories, General Fiction

You Will Remember Everything by JC Freeman

 

At the age of five, highly gullible Lewis Coughland had fallen prey to his older cousin, Vicki. She had convinced him that since he hadn’t been baptized that he and all he loved would go straight to hell upon the Second Coming unless he took “counselling” from a good Christian (i.e. Vicki) who had a direct line of communication with the All-mighty. Since it was “too late” to do anything about the baptizing (which “forbade” Lewis from shaping prayers of his own), nine-year-old Vicki had graciously volunteered herself to serve as Lewis’s go-between in all matters Heaven and Earth; all Lewis had to do in return for this service was become Vicki’s personal slave. The counselling had been big on tough love and discipline. A typical session went as follows: Continue reading “You Will Remember Everything by JC Freeman”

All Stories, Latest News

Week 112 – Marriage, Mosquitoes And A Wet Gremlin.

We’ve had a writer this week who has given me permission to divulge.

Our very own Kathryn Lord is actually the wife of Andrew Miller. So I’ve outed them. I had to check with them due to our strict confidentiality process. I think it’s amazing that we’ve actually got two authors from the same household. Well, maybe it isn’t the same household?!? I’ve always thought that the reason me and Gwen have been together so long is mainly because we’ve seldom been in the same house at the same time. I don’t mean we’ve had two houses, it’s just that our work has kept us apart for many glorious hours. Sorry, I mean, when we’re together, it made those hours all the more glorious.

Continue reading “Week 112 – Marriage, Mosquitoes And A Wet Gremlin.”

All Stories, Crime/Mystery/Thriller

Caught in the Act by Thomas Godwin

Nathan sat in the corner, in the lone chair of the hotel room, facing the door. An open pack of Marlboro Reds along with his cell phone sat on the end table beside him. Smoke drifted from a cigarette held loosely between his fingers. The ash had grown long and drooped down from the red cherry.

Continue reading “Caught in the Act by Thomas Godwin”

All Stories, General Fiction

The Day Off by Patty Somlo

Jorge Mendoza was the last man to receive a call. As he picked up the phone, he was still debating whether to go to work or not. If he went, what would the other men think? If he stayed home and lost his job, no one in the valley would hire him. And if he got deported, he would lose everything.

Continue reading “The Day Off by Patty Somlo”

All Stories

The Pitch by Patrick Winters

David hadn’t been feeling up to doing a whole lot of anything as of late, so when his doorbell rang, he decided to just stay in bed. Whoever it was would go away after another try or two, and he could go right back to just staring at the wall in so-called peace. But after another dozen or so rings, it was obvious that whoever had come by his apartment wasn’t going to give it up.

Continue reading “The Pitch by Patrick Winters”