A Parent's Nightmare

Her parents are concerned that her boyfriend is two dimensional. Living entirely in one plane would limit his prospects. If the relationship became serious, they could predict he would become their ward, unable to hold a job in three dimensions. They could see the two of them moving into her bedroom, taking up domestic residence under their roof. She would argue they likely could support themselves on her waitressing income, he needing little in his flat world. But then: children. The simple geometry must be astounding. And the – then - grandparents would be always explaining to those not at the wedding.

From Guest Contributor Ken Poyner

For the prompt Frontier

Daredevil

The first time Ben died in his dream was liberating. He'd always been told that if you got killed while you were sleeping, you'd never wake up again, but it turns out that's just a myth.

Now Ben is a complete daredevil when he's dreaming. Right before he falls asleep, as he's just about to cross into the unknown frontier of the night, he visualizes all the ways he will flirt with danger, whether it's jumping off a cliff in order to fly or walking into a burning building to save some puppies.

If only real life worked that way.

For the prompt Frontier

9 Months

For 9 months things had been great. But now Mel was in the birth canal. He faced the Delivery Room, Dr. Fromberg, the obstetrician, and then the whole extra-uterine frontier. He didn't like it. He dug in his heels and tried to crawl back.

But Dr. Fromberg didn't care. He’d dealt with problems like Mel before. When it came to pulling neonates into their so-called lives, he was prepared to do so. After all, he'd been yanked into his life 53 years before.

Yes, the first thing Mel did in this new frontier was cry… And could anyone blame him?

From Guest Contributor David Sydney

Sacrifice

I freeze when they emerge: two cubs accompanying their mother out of the woods, nosing the lanky grass, their progress benign but intent. In another life, another form, I could have been a bear lumbering languidly across the wilderness seeking sustenance for my brood. Then and now, I mean no harm. Then and now, neither does she. Yet I know she would fight to the death for the innocence beside her; at the dawn of life, they know nothing but her protection.

I step backwards slowly, grip my whistle, close the door, and watch as they tear down the birdfeeder.

From Guest Contributor Faye Rapoport DesPres

For the prompt Frontier

Fingertips to Her Shoulders Like Wings in Her Sleep

She is a bird perched on this moment, holding tight to the splintering branch of the past even while the warm chinook of now swirls up from the canyon whispering promises to her flight feathers, visions of vistas that shudder up through the tunnels in her hollow bones. The hurricane of her hair twists in the wind as she stretches, inches closer to dreams of silence deeper than the abyss of midnight sheets. There is no cage that can hold her, no rope that can bind her, no dead story that can stand before her when she decides

to fly.

From Guest Contributor Brook Bhagat

Frontier

The steep hills and rugged terrain bordered the frontier. Untamed wildlife lay ahead as I stepped into the wilderness on my hunt for food. I promised my wife we’d make a good home. It’s difficult at times, but we managed.

I heard an ominous sound nearby; crunching branches. I turned and pointed my rifle. Before me stood a grizzly bear at least ten feet tall. He growled and started toward me. I pulled the trigger and he fell into a heap. He let out his last breath and stilled.

He was protecting his home; I couldn’t fault him for that.

From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher

For the prompt Frontier

Intergalactic

Edna and Ed Grumley had no idea they were at the very frontier of intergalactic space exploration that Saturday. Edna was on a double chaise lounge next to Ed in his Hawaiian Gonzo shirt. In the sky above...

Yes, a UFO from the Andromeda Galaxy hovered over Edna, Ed, and their above-ground pool.

“No. 385, this’s too much. Look at those two.”

“Look at that pool, No. 4078A.”

In all of Andromeda, they’d experienced nothing like Edna, Ed, or the dead flies and moths floating in the pool.

“You know, No. 385... You can push a frontier just so far…”

From Guest Contributor David Sydney

For the prompt Frontier

Frontier Wedding

The ship glided into the harbor, though to call the pair of ramshackle docks a harbor was about as generous as calling the leaky coastal steamer a ship. As with everything in here, the practical concern was always whether something got the job done, with never a consideration for aesthetic appearances.

This was exactly why Hannah had elected to make the voyage. She may not have been the prettiest to look at, but she got the job done. And despite her family's wealth, the only suitors she'd been presented with had been incompetent blowhards.

She'd rather marry a sled dog.

For the prompt Frontier

Rock Star, Jr.

Dad’s a rock star. You know the type. Wild hair. Leather pants. Naked-lady tattoos. He’s never around for any father-and-son stuff, always away on some sold-out stadium tour.

For my 12th birthday, he gave me one of his old Gibsons. He didn’t have time to show me any chords, so I taught myself. I’ve been practicing every day.

He’s coming home after six months on the road, and I can’t wait for him to hear all the amazing riffs I’ve learned.

Because even if he doesn’t think a son deserves his attention, he’s got to appreciate a fellow musician, right?

From Guest Contributor Lori Cramer

Cosmic Illumination

“Northern lights?” Jonathan pointed skyward.

“No. Stardust. We’re too far south for Northern Lights,” replied Dad.

They viewed the spectacle in awe.

“I want to be an astronaut when I grow up,” Jonathan stated.

“I know. You say that often enough.”

“What are you making?”

“Cosmic pudding,” answered Dad, pouring water into a foil bag.

His son’s face changed from fascination to frustration.

“What’s tomorrow’s supper?” Jonathan asked.

“Hamburgers.”

“Real hamburgers?”

“Real, but with pita bread. Buns would cause floating crumbs, a major hazard in a spacecraft.”

“Dad, where’s the nearest burger place?”

“Thought you want to be an astronaut.”

From Guest Contributor Krystyna Fedosejevs