The house, settling like an aging dowager, arthritic and frail, creaks and trembles. Cold spots materialize in odd corners as air cascades over transoms. Doors shut unbidden behind footfalls echoing down the halls. A staircase leads upward to closed off rooms abandoned to the darkness. Treads groan with each step, slick from generations of use. A … Continue reading At the top of the stairs
Category: 100 Word Challenge
Muses: fear and hope
Fear, hope, twin sisters Muses, their sultry voices Not so contrary Whispered cruel asides Murmured secrets, tales and lies Of what fate withholds Anticipation Of the may-bes, of could-bes Possibilities A dance, eternal Turning, spinning off balance The band relentless Hope, fear, twin sisters Sing duets in harmony Hymns and dirges, discordant Sudden catch of … Continue reading Muses: fear and hope
Daddy’s little girl
This all sounds petty I know, but understand, it was constant. The name calling, the endless barrage of insults. Finding fault in everything I did. I have a permanent flat spot from all the cuffs to the back of my head. From the outside, it looked like he was playing around. That I was being … Continue reading Daddy’s little girl
A fish out of water…
“Sleek.” It wasn’t the word she’d use, but he thought it described his persona perfectly. Black oily hair combed straight back, and jet eyes so dark you couldn’t see his pupils. He reminded her of a wet otter. Even his grey suit was glossy, giving the illusion of him cutting through the room like an … Continue reading A fish out of water…
Time… with a side of bacon
There was ample time to set good habits for a long, fulfilling life. There was ample time to take walks enjoying the fresh air and sunshine in the mornings, or evening breezes and sunsets at night. There was ample time to learn how to prepare healthy meals. Eating only when hungry and not as a … Continue reading Time… with a side of bacon
Boys’ club
The room reeked of old money. Young men in dark conservative suits, monograms on the breasts of their Italian cotton shirts, gathered for the ritual. Dark heartwood walls were decorated with portraits of past officers. Agitated pledges huddled in small cliques, crystal brandy snifters in hand. All eyes turned toward the massive mahogany doors as … Continue reading Boys’ club
Thin spiral notebook 