After the Battle of the Bulge
Vocal Microfiction Challenge (Based on a True Story)
“Hands up!” The American sentry said.
“Yes, Corporal.” I comply when a rifle points at me.
“You talk funny.”
“I am English,” I said. “Is it you who ‘talks funny?”
“What do we have here?” said an arriving sergeant.
“Guy says he’s English. But I think he’s a German spy.”
“I’m English,” I said. “But I lived in the States before the war.”
“Oh yeah?” said the sergeant. “Who won the 1939 World Series.”
“No idea. But I starred with Ginger Rogers in Bachelor Mother that year.”
“What did you say your name was?”
“Niven. Lieutenant Colonel David Niven.”
About the Creator
Chuck Etheridge
Novelist, Teacher, Transplanted West Texan, Reluctant Poet
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Peanuts and Crackerjack
Bottom of the ninth inning. The game is tied with two outs, two strikes and a man on second. I tap the bat on home plate. The rigid vibrations it creates reminds my aching digits that this isn't over. The practice swing only adds to the heft of mental burnout... Man on second, willing to chance it. Pitcher eyes him but doesn't give in to the dangerous bluff. I kick up dust, readying the peculiar stance I've had since the days of little league. The bat lays stiff upon my cramping shoulder. Pain has no reason to be acknowledged; it's a fleeting afterthought. The sun sits passed high noon, but the stadium lights are on anyway. They trick my brain into believing they are the cause of this sweltering heat. Sporadic clouds are motionless, they too, don't want to miss this exhilarating predicament. Anticipating the next pitch, intensifying roars from the crowd rumble the stadium... Behind me, the crafty catcher adjusts his stance and spits to the dry dirt. Behind him, the staunch umpire doesn't flinch or even blink; he knows how important his call will be. The pitcher winds up, his grip tells me its gonna curve. The release is fierce! Beads of sweat from his hair and face disperse in every direction as the force of his might is unfailing. My left leg lifts—an instinctual move that will increase the power of my swing. It's all down to my two, bloodshot eyes. They lock onto the speeding, white dot as it instantly becomes the target I intend to destroy. The swing is late, but I manage a solid tip. The ball is taking a fast bounce toward the pitcher who is recovering from the almighty throw! Man on second leaves in a desperate rush! I fling the bat to the side with a sense of urgency and make a mad sprint to the only destination I have—first base. Three defenders race inward to be the first to retrieve the skidding ball. Man is almost on third! I watch the open glove of my adversary, wondering if I’ve done enough to win this race. I switch my attention to his eyes, looking for a clue, some kind of reaction that tells me the ball is in the air and heading his way. All I see is frustration. The deafening roar of the crowd spikes! Something happens that I can’t see! My opponent abandons his post right as my left stride touches the bag. I waste no time turning my head to see the pitcher laying on his stomach, pounding the mound with an open glove. He misses the opportunity to out me and the ball has quickly bounced past him. Excitement grows! This isn’t over yet... It's become an imperative fight to tag out the runner heading homeward. The catcher falls to his knees in obvious despair as he watches my teammate make the run of his life. He knows it’s going to be close when he sees the shortstop fumble the ball a second too long. I jump up and down with no plans on leaving first base. All my chips are on the speed and agility of the active runner. His cleats dig into the dirt, trailing a dust-filled cyclone from the rapid and strenuous strides. With a thrusting dive and an outstretched arm, he lands on his chest to begin the crucial slide to home plate. The shortstop fires the ball to the catcher! It immediately begins closing the gap! Nail-biting doesn't begin to describe the anxious vibe permeating the stadium. The bench begins to celebrate even before he reaches the plate. Forty thousand cheering fans reach maximum crescendo, filling the air with a glorious sound. Everyone knows how this story will end… My teammate is met by the entire bench as his fingers inch across home plate, instantly followed by the unmistakable motion of the catcher's glove attempting to tag him out—its milliseconds too late. The ump swings his arms outward, officially calling him safe.
By Lamar Wiggins2 days ago in Fiction
THE LAST WISH
In the small town of Raven's Hollow, nestled deep within the shadows of ancient, gnarled trees, a chilling legend lurked—a tale whispered in hushed tones and only shared in the darkest corners of the local tavern. The townsfolk spoke of a mysterious entity known as "The Last Wish," a malevolent force said to grant one final desire to those desperate enough to summon it. However, the cost of that wish was far more terrifying than anyone could fathom.
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The Snake-Worshipping, Fur-Wearing Woman Who Made Alexander Great
What do you know about the mother of Alexander the Great? It's not a trick question. The woman who gave birth to one of history's military greats has been much obscured by the long, dark shadow of history. Short of a few awkward caricatures in film, little has been brought into focus about the infamous Olympias of Molossia.
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Comments (2)
Thanks, Sherry. You're right about the photo; it was the closest thing I could find to a WWII pic in the Unsplash library. I have been looking for your entry in the "Passings Ships" challenge and can't find it. Maybe I'm navigating Vocal wrong.
Hi, Chuck! Glad to read your micro-story. It's cute. But the picture looks more like WWI than WWII. Since I've read the biographies of both Rogers and Niven, I'm tickled. It's a great "reveal" of an unknown fact about Niven, a favorite of mine. Good luck! I hope you'll read and comment on my stories, along the way!