Short Stories
THROUGH THE TRAP DOOR
...her adolescence was somewhat protected by the power of one’s mind providing an escape hatch or trap door away from the lurking evil.
...her adolescence was somewhat protected by the power of one’s mind providing an escape hatch or trap door away from the lurking evil.
AN AWAKENING OF FEELING
Yet who knows one’s limit until you take that first step and seize the moment to begin.
Yet who knows one’s limit until you take that first step and seize the moment to begin.
LIFE
At what age might one question what is my purpose in life?
At what age might one question what is my purpose in life?
THE CROSSING
He woke to the smell of death.
He woke to the smell of death.
A BOY'S LIFE
Anyone who says growing up is easy or cool, either lies or has entered an early stage of dementia.
Anyone who says growing up is easy or cool, either lies or has entered an early stage of dementia.
A MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB
Climbing, falling, walking in circles, she was trapped in an unending maze.
Climbing, falling, walking in circles, she was trapped in an unending maze.
THE DANCE
“Lucky is the man who could know such a woman”
“Lucky is the man who could know such a woman”
THE CORNER CLOSET
Her friend was sitting slumped over in his wheelchair ... A note was on the counter.
Her friend was sitting slumped over in his wheelchair ... A note was on the counter.
AN ANGRY MAN
Nothing was said, neither moved, both just looked as if framing a picture that would be remembered at some future time in a place different from what they knew.
Nothing was said, neither moved, both just looked as if framing a picture that would be remembered at some future time in a place different from what they knew.
A PERFECT DAY
Ellie screamed out for her father floating face down thirty feet away.
Ellie screamed out for her father floating face down thirty feet away.
WHO IS WALTER SCHMIDT
...he did not know where he was. Correction, it was obvious he was on a train, but where was he traveling, why, and god forbid, who was he?
...he did not know where he was. Correction, it was obvious he was on a train, but where was he traveling, why, and god forbid, who was he?
THE SHELTERING SKY
...the car rose up against the newfound hillside, went momentarily airborne before arcing right, banging down on the lower road...
...the car rose up against the newfound hillside, went momentarily airborne before arcing right, banging down on the lower road...
EVERYTHING IS ALL RIGHT
“They found your father floating face down in the river.” That river has always been a part of my life.
“They found your father floating face down in the river.” That river has always been a part of my life.
THE PILGRIMAGE OF JERRY SHORTER
Is evil something that can pass through a bloodline? Who helps you understand such a question.
Is evil something that can pass through a bloodline? Who helps you understand such a question.
SEAMUS AND THE GREEN SPIRIT
The Green Spirit wove back and forth as if it was trying to joust every corner building or lamppost.
The Green Spirit wove back and forth as if it was trying to joust every corner building or lamppost.
ON A WING AND A PRAYER
Perhaps all life struggles in their own way, and each of us can only do our best.
Perhaps all life struggles in their own way, and each of us can only do our best.
FINDERS KEEPERS
Anyone close to you will soon be as dead as my friends ... I kill people who stand in my way.
Anyone close to you will soon be as dead as my friends ... I kill people who stand in my way.
BILLY HARGRAVE
A Florida State Trooper, hidden behind dark glasses with his hand on his holster, approached the driver's side,
and ordered everyone outside with identification.
A Florida State Trooper, hidden behind dark glasses with his hand on his holster, approached the driver's side,
and ordered everyone outside with identification.
WITH ALL YOUR HEART
A 15 minute break every 2 hours to smoke a cigarette, and a young man became an old man who became a
dead man.
A 15 minute break every 2 hours to smoke a cigarette, and a young man became an old man who became a
dead man.
LINCOLN'S AIDE
Newspapers never mentioned a fifth person in the Presidential Box at Ford’s Theatre on that fateful night.
Newspapers never mentioned a fifth person in the Presidential Box at Ford’s Theatre on that fateful night.
FLAMES FROM A STRING
Wait, listen, quiet everyone. The three and four-note chords turned into sweeping runs.
Wait, listen, quiet everyone. The three and four-note chords turned into sweeping runs.
RICOCHET
Pinball wizard banks the steel ball into the 1000 hole, what a shot!
Pinball wizard banks the steel ball into the 1000 hole, what a shot!
THE THREE PIECE SUIT
His prized possession was the silver pocket watch on a silver chain he would draw from his vest pocket.
His prized possession was the silver pocket watch on a silver chain he would draw from his vest pocket.
WATER WARS
Stepping closer, James shuddered with the recognition that the mass was a heavily clothed man face down in the wet grass.
Stepping closer, James shuddered with the recognition that the mass was a heavily clothed man face down in the wet grass.
SOULFUL HUNGER
Andrew believes he suffers from heartburn, while I believe he suffers from isolation. The symptoms are the same, a burning pain in your chest, just behind your breastbone.
Andrew believes he suffers from heartburn, while I believe he suffers from isolation. The symptoms are the same, a burning pain in your chest, just behind your breastbone.
LITTLE FLOWER GIRL
She looked up with a smile, and I was suddenly taken aback ...
She looked up with a smile, and I was suddenly taken aback ...
THE PRISONER OF COLLIOURE
A child has little ability to measure the hardship of life without experience or education.
A child has little ability to measure the hardship of life without experience or education.
THE KNEAD OF A MAN
Too often throughout my life, an unsettling self-talk challenges my measure as a man.
Too often throughout my life, an unsettling self-talk challenges my measure as a man.
JOURNEY’S END
Did the Catholic Church schedule my birth? I can fill you in on the particulars, April 10,1957, Oscar Alvaro Molina, San Salvador.
Did the Catholic Church schedule my birth? I can fill you in on the particulars, April 10,1957, Oscar Alvaro Molina, San Salvador.
LED FROM THE HEART
I am not sure how old I was when I first inquired about my beginning.
I am not sure how old I was when I first inquired about my beginning.
SHADOW ON THE MOUNTAIN
The sound of his femur snapping would never be forgotten. The cracking of his head on the boulder would never be remembered.
The sound of his femur snapping would never be forgotten. The cracking of his head on the boulder would never be remembered.
ARNIE AND WOODROW
Those who knew him said he was the nicest young man in town, always a smile on his face, and quick to wave when at a distance.
Those who knew him said he was the nicest young man in town, always a smile on his face, and quick to wave when at a distance.
SIX MEMORIES
The most vivid memory that stirs within his heart was the day Gladys came to school as the new student.
The most vivid memory that stirs within his heart was the day Gladys came to school as the new student.
FOOL'S GOLD OF A DIFFERENT COLOR
He still burned whenever he thought of his father losing the Oklahoma farm over a questionable missed payment.
He still burned whenever he thought of his father losing the Oklahoma farm over a questionable missed payment.
LIFE ON THE EDGE
“Please sir, my assistant teller will be at the front door at any moment, and he will be alarmed if the door is locked.”
“Please sir, my assistant teller will be at the front door at any moment, and he will be alarmed if the door is locked.”
THE CAT'S PAW
The detective considered 3 items to have greater importance, the partially completed manuscript, the pawn ticket, and the art gallery photo.
The detective considered 3 items to have greater importance, the partially completed manuscript, the pawn ticket, and the art gallery photo.
MY NAME IS BEMBA-DAVID
Suddenly, gunshots echoed throughout the valley, and the birds in the trees screeched and flew from their nests.
Suddenly, gunshots echoed throughout the valley, and the birds in the trees screeched and flew from their nests.
BLOOD MOON
The crush of men and horses upon the red dust gave the illusion of shards of broken glass spilling across the earth.
The crush of men and horses upon the red dust gave the illusion of shards of broken glass spilling across the earth.
TURNING POINT
Just as fear was starting to grip his being, a shuffle of steps was heard from the main room.
Just as fear was starting to grip his being, a shuffle of steps was heard from the main room.
SONG OF SORROW
My name is Mary O’Sullivan. I was sent to The Debtors’ Prison on Green Street in the year 1795 at the age of fifteen.
My name is Mary O’Sullivan. I was sent to The Debtors’ Prison on Green Street in the year 1795 at the age of fifteen.
MISTAKEN IDENTITY
It’s one thing to look like someone famous, but to have the same name should be more than a coincidence.
It’s one thing to look like someone famous, but to have the same name should be more than a coincidence.
FRANCIE
I’m not the only fifth grader who has her hands full with life.
I’m not the only fifth grader who has her hands full with life.