Microfiction
Embody Me
The granddaughter bowed a legato Etude with strong, smooth strokes, her liquid bob shielding emerging cheekbones. The pine scent of wafting resin made me sneeze. Two violins rejected, she was testing a third. “It needs tuning. But that’s okay.” Her wide, toothy grin exposed hope. She down bowed with a flourish. “This is it!” Joy exploded my chest like fireworks. Violin cases were exchanged, light for heavier. She clutched the heavier case to her heart. My faded blue credit card scraped the music store slot machine. My voice stuck in my throat as she whispered, “She’s meant to be mine.”
By Barbara Steinhauser 3 years ago in Fiction
The Cookie. Content Warning.
Stella Jewel loved to bake. She baked all day long. She was always baking little treats for people. She took muffins to old lady Mavis when she was down sick. She whipped up a batch of brownies for Mr. Gowen’s promotion last week. When little Tommy Brown had a birthday, she ensured he had special cupcakes for his party. Every Sunday, she delivered cookies to the soup kitchens around town.
By Mother Combs (Sharon)3 years ago in Fiction
"Echoes of Nullity"
In a world saturated with superpowers, where extraordinary abilities define individuals, a seemingly ordinary teenager named Alex stumbled upon a unique gift: the power to nullify other powers. As news of Alex's rare ability spread, they became a coveted target in a world where heroes and villains clashed relentlessly.
By Pretty Cash3 years ago in Fiction
Emergent
Jeannie abandoned me for Catholic school. Our twin sweats hung isolated, their Jersey softness worn thin. I shopped fifth grade supplies, adjusted my backpack and climbed the orange bus like one sliced in two. No giggling seat mate anticipated my arrival. Tears dribbled down freckled checks, dropping onto library books weighting my lap. I became Pippi Longstocking, Anne of Green Gables. A quirky orphan. My new identity, fresh as loneliness, fake as fiction spurred a reading frenzy. I read so many books, I became Westview Elementary School’s reading champion. Still, I poured chocolate malted milk powder on ice cream, alone.
By Barbara Steinhauser 3 years ago in Fiction
Expansion
I am not a fan of what is delivered inside grocery store paperbacks: mysteries, thrillers, romance. I don’t mean to be a literary snob. I am from the suburbs of Minneapolis and educated strictly Midwest. Still, I lean toward literary novels, Pulitzers, Bookers or foreign novels that expand my perspective. A habit fostered in elementary school, when books took me on far off adventures, far away from the tyranny of fifth grade drama. Warren Smith, chalking the answer to the most complicated math problem I had ever seen. Grinning his sweet, shy smile, white teeth contrasting his face, so black.
By Barbara Steinhauser 3 years ago in Fiction
The Laundress
Betsy liked her job as a laundress working in the Doctor’s hotel. Nothing was better than removing a stain from a pure white bedsheet or being able to scrub an antique Persian rub until it looked brand new. She took real pride in her work and would do no less than 110% in any laundry she worked for.
By Mother Combs (Sharon)3 years ago in Fiction
Mystery of Area 51: Unraveling Myths and Realities. Content Warning.
Introduction: Greetings, fellow enthusiasts of the unexplained! Today, let's embark on a comprehensive journey through the mysterious realms of Area 51, the infamous U.S. military facility nestled in the heart of the Nevada desert. From UFO sightings to government conspiracies, Area 51 has been shrouded in secrecy and speculation for decades. In this article, we'll delve into its enigmatic history, separating fact from fiction and exploring the enduring fascination that surrounds this clandestine location.
By React Wizards3 years ago in Fiction
