Tag: short story

  • What He Wants

    “Jake uses everyone to get exactly what he wants.  But in a way where nobody notices.” I started pulling my clothes out of the closet and stuffing the ones I wore the most into my suitcase.  My throat tightened and my eyes started to burn and I forced myself not to cry.  “He has always done that.  For as long as I have known him.  Don’t…

  • Speak with Authority

    “Watch your pretty mouth,” the stranger said as he stuck his finger into my face as I tried to back away.  I’m not even sure where this man had come from or why he was so upset.  I hadn’t even said or done anything but try and cross the street.  As he continued to yell and shake his…

  • Moved Away

    “He moved away and now he’s back,” I whispered into my phone.  I propped the blinds open again and watched Mark unloading the back of his truck.  Six months ago he had moved to California for some unknown job.  Or at least he wouldn’t tell me about this mysterious job he had to immediately leave for.  All he told me was something…

  • Crystals

    “She was terrified of tornadoes.  That was the only thing my mother was afraid of.”  I sat on the couch and stared at my feet.  I couldn’t believe I was even having this conversation.  Especially with the sheriff.  Everyone knew my mother was afraid of tornadoes.  She was scared of the possibility of losing her family and friends.  She was afraid to lose everything…

  • On a Mission

    “She may be crazy, but she has a mission and she knows what she wants,” I said as  Jessica walked away.  “Yes, but to what extent?  Who is she willing to hurt to get there?”  Cindy crossed her arms and tried to turn away.  But her eyes were glued on Jessica, just like mine.  “What will we do?  She will…

  • No Nickname

    “He has no nickname,” I said to my coach.  “He needs no nickname.  His name is Johnson and that’s what he goes by.”  I tried to stay defiant and firm in my stance.  Coach was an intimidating man and was  used to getting his way.  But Johnson was my friend and he deserved my support.  He hadn’t…

  • Curfew

    “She’s always home by curfew,” I said, pacing in front of the front door.  “I don’t know what’s happening tonight.  Do you know who she was going out with?”  “She’s eighteen.  She’s going to miss curfew a few times here and there.  I wouldn’t worry about it too much,” my husband said relaxing back into…

  • Closer to God

    The mountains seemed to get bigger every time I closed my eyes.  The thin mountain air longed to caress my face and lungs.  I delayed in opening my eyes as I knew all I would see would be the flat dusty roads of my hometown.   My days were spent listening to coworkers drone on about meaningless issues…

  • Backroads

    “Just take all the backroads.  Those are the best roads to take at night.” I listened to Tyler from the back seat and tried to go back to sleep.  I didn’t want to be involved with what they were doing, but didn’t know how to crawl out of the hole I was already in.  Tyler and Dylan both knew I was terrible at…

  • Good For

    “That’s all he’s good for, really.”  I tossed the picture of Eric off to the side and started sorting the next stack.  I was ready to move on.  “So are you really going to push him aside just like that?  After all you two have been through?”  Samantha started stacking the books in piles that didn’t make any sense,…