ComicRelief
SALT
Introduction Charlie Solevar, a man in his early 30s, returns to Salt Lake City after deployment to settle the affairs of his recently deceased paternal grandmother. He comes back to the apartment where he grew up, haunted by a flood of unresolved memories and the lingering absence of his mother, Birdie, who disappeared when he was twelve. Grief-stricken and grappling with an emotional void, Charlie spirals into a strange twilight state, convinced that the universe is trying to communicate with him through the remaining letters in expired cans of alphabet soup.
By Salomé Saffiri2 years ago in Humor
Tom's Trojan Paste. Runner-Up in Absurdist Awakening Challenge.
I switched toothpastes when the conspiracy theories finally got to me. Patty Lovarco, my seventh grade science teacher, was the first to warn me about the toxic effects of fluoride. Since then, I had done a bit of research, and searched my soul for an answer to the question: "Would my own government really do that to me?"
By A. S. Lawrence2 years ago in Humor
Ruke
RUKE Blood, Sweat, and Raccoons By Rob Ayotte For weeks, every other night I’d trudge through the snow to where he lived with his mom. On nights I didn’t go there he came to my place. Locals had gotten used to seeing the red-haired giant, eternally clad in black, gliding over the ice and snow of Uptown Minneapolis on a tiny ten speed. We were both single… not by choice. The loneliness of winter had a sharp sting and music worked well to blunt its edge. So far, we’d only played hole-in-the-wall coffee shops. Tonight was our big show.
By Rob Ayotte2 years ago in Humor
The Adventures of Ice Cream Man
Have you ever had a lick of ice cream that changed your life?--because I have. I was walking through the park one hot, sunny day when I came across an ice cream stand. I asked the clerk for a chocolate-vanilla swirl on a Belgian waffle cone. Everything changed when I took that first tongue-full. The cold hit me with a brain freeze going eighty miles an hour. I sat down as the world around me swam.
By Callum Summers2 years ago in Humor
Death by Laundry
Once upon a time, in a land far far away (yet close enough that most mother's can relate), there was a young mother who had been sick for an entire week. During this week, she hadn't done any laundry - despite it being an item on her daily to do list.
By Adora Hooper2 years ago in Humor
Beneath the willow . Content Warning.
**Title: Beneath the Willow** The small town of Willowbrook was known for its charm—quaint little shops, winding cobblestone streets, and a massive ancient willow tree that stood guard by the riverbank. It was here, beneath the drooping branches of the willow, that two lovers found their refuge from the world. Ella and Lucas were inseparable since childhood, their bond deepening as they navigated the complexities of adolescence. Their laughter echoed through the branches of the willow, and their secrets were shared under its canopy. But as time marched on, life began to pull them in different directions. Ella dreamed of attending art school in the city, her passion for painting pushing her to seek new horizons. Lucas, on the other hand, felt the weight of family obligations and the looming expectation to stay in Willowbrook, working at his family’s hardware store. One fateful spring afternoon, as petals danced in the breeze, the lovers sat beneath the willow, hearts filled with an unspeakable tension. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on their entwined hands. “Ella,” Lucas began, his voice barely above a whisper. “You need to go. This is your chance.” Ella looked into his deep brown eyes, searching for reassurance. “But what about us?” she asked, the lump in her throat growing larger. “We’ll always have this,” he said, gesturing around them. “The memories, the moments. But you have to follow your dreams. I can’t hold you back.” Tears welled in her eyes as she nodded, knowing he was right yet fearing the distance that would surely come. Lucas leaned in, brushing a stray hair behind her ear. “Promise me you’ll paint the world.” In that moment, they sealed their unspoken vow with a gentle kiss, one that tasted like both love and heartbreak. As the sun dipped below the horizon, they both felt the yawning chasm of what lay ahead. The city welcomed Ella with open arms, its vibrant streets pulsating with life. She poured her heart into her art, each stroke of paint a piece of herself she left behind in Willowbrook. Yet, despite her newfound freedom, her heart felt heavy with an emptiness only Lucas could fill. Each night, as she stood in front of her easel, she found herself painting the willow tree, a bittersweet reminder of the love they once shared. Lucas, meanwhile, took to the hardware store, filling his days with work and his nights with memories. He would often go to the riverbank, sitting beneath their willow, reminiscing about Ella’s laughter and the way her eyes sparkled under the sun. He craved her presence but buried himself in tasks to dismiss the loneliness clawing at his heart. Months passed, each day a tug-of-war between dreams and memories. Ella received a call one evening, the sound of Lucas's voice igniting a warmth inside her. “I miss you,” he admitted, the confession hanging in the air. “I miss you too,” she replied, biting her lip. “Can you come home for a while?” he asked, hope lacing his tone. “I’ll be there.” A surge of determination coursed through her. Ella needed to see him. When the day finally arrived, she rushed to the willow, heart racing at the thought of seeing him again. As she approached, she caught a glimpse of his familiar silhouette, and her breath caught in her throat. Lucas turned, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her. “I thought you would never come back,” he said, a smile breaking across his face. “I couldn’t stay away any longer,” she breathed, and they fell into each other’s arms, a perfect fit as if no time had passed. As they stood beneath the willow tree once more, the gentle breeze whispered through the leaves, and they knew then that true love doesn’t diminish with distance. It grows, reshaping its roots deeper into the heart, reconnecting the souls that were meant to be together. With laughter in the air and dreams still soaring, Ella and Lucas found their way back to each other, under the very tree that witnessed their love story unfold.
By Testimony Anuoluwa2 years ago in Humor
On a Peculiar Morning
Ever since I can remember I have had this crush on mountains. Perhaps because when I was still in the womb my parents would go hiking; perhaps because as a kid I could always relate to Heidi, living surrounded by buildings rather than beautiful peaks. I always felt this Heimweh that did not last long: as soon as I could, I went as far as my legs would let me: to the Pyrenees, to the Rockies, to the Alps.
By Laura Rodben2 years ago in Humor
Egg-stra-sized . Runner-Up in Absurdist Awakening Challenge.
That time I went to Toronto for a weekend visit with my friends, the drive back didn’t go as expected. Whenever I am in Canada, I stock up on Canadian honey and snacks at Costco. I’m not the only American doing that. There are no Costco stores around Buffalo, so when I shop at the Niagara Falls Costco, I see many cars with the US plates.
By Lana V Lynx2 years ago in Humor
My Cat Thinks I Work for Her: A Day in My Servitude
Introduction: If you've ever lived with a cat, you know that they own you rather than you own them. As a proud but slightly defeated servant to my feline overlord, Whiskers, I have learned to accept that my life revolves around her needs, whims, and demands. The more I try to establish dominance, the more I realize I’m merely a background character in her kingdom. This is the tale of my daily life, filled with humor, frustration, and an overwhelming sense of inferiority to a creature that weighs barely more than a bag of flour.
By Afia Sikder2 years ago in Humor
