A Teddy-Bear Reunion

It’s been twenty -seven years since I’ve seen his face.

White and fluffy, hiding an adorable black button nose that invites a desperate need to boop.

Life descended into chaos not long after we met, and the spiral took decades to settle.

House to house, the bounce of instability, the gathering of no moss. None of them were home, just a place to be, until the next one.

But I’ve been here a while now. And can no longer ignore the roots that have sprouted. It's finally time to release my childhood friend from his black plastic prison.

We’re home.

From Guest Contributor Kamran Connelly

Kam’s Novelette DEATH BED INC is due for publication by Twisted Dreams Press. He has features in anthologies by Hollowpoint Press, Wolfsinger Publications RDG Books Press and UnpopularPublications. Is currently shopping around his debut novel, The Extinction Process. And his Vampire novella BLOOD BANK. Is published online at The Horror Tree, Trembling with Fear, Flash Phantoms, and WitCraft for his works of fiction. Has poetry featured in three anthologies, and a novella featured in the Paul Cave Prize for literature.

Prevail

The Nazis took drastic measures to make me obey their cause. I had been beaten so badly, it took weeks for my swollen eye and broken arm to heal, and that wasn’t the worst of it. They threatened my wife and daughter. If I didn’t do what the Nazis wanted, they would kill my only family.

My parents were shot dead in their home because they hid Jewish friends, and I had been told they begged for their life.

If I continue to refuse, my wife and daughter will be next. I had to prevail; I wouldn’t let that happen.

From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher

The Boat

At summer's end, Marta found her dead brother's phone charging in the boathouse, though she had emptied his pockets herself in May. The screen showed one message, unsent: Don't sell the boat.

She laughed, because the boat leaked and because Erik had never repaired anything before being asked twice.

Outside, pines scratched the roof. The red mailbox leaned toward the road, waiting for bills.

Marta carried the phone to the jetty. Under the seat, beside a rusted thermos, lay fresh gray putty around the seams.

She launched at dusk. Halfway home, the phone died. The boat did not sink either.

From Guest Contributor Niklas Pettersson

Baby Boy

When you opened the door, Rob stood with a bouquet of red roses and a smile on his face. He had been deployed over a year ago, and you didn’t know anything about his mission, only surmised the danger.

You greeted him with a hug and kiss, crushing the bouquet, then stood back and clutched your chest, while tears streamed down your cheeks. “I can’t believe you’re home!”

You took him by the hand, pulled him into the house and hugged him again fiercely this time.

You had something wonderful to show him.

The baby boy upstairs in his crib.

From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher

Lost In Space

It is a sweltering summer evening, and Dad bursts through the back screen door, home early from work, carrying a paper bag stuffed with green frilly leaves. “Look,” he beams unpacking the strange-looking vegetable. “Something new. It’s called Romaine lettuce.” He tears off a long tapered leaf and glides it over my upturned hand. “Try it,” he grins. “It flies—like a supersonic r-r-rocket!”

It is the age of Sputnik, Explorer, ballistic missiles and orbital launchers, and we kids are all enthralled. I bite into the crisp, tall leaf, savor the pleasantly cool, exhilarating blast and I am riding high.

From Guest Contributor E. C. Traganas

Lake

The cool lake soothed my warm feet. It was a stifling day and the sun beat on my neck. Trickles of perspiration dripped down my back as I watched people pass by in row boats waving their hands fanning themselves as if that would break the heat. Some were prepared with water in toe and shading.

There wasn’t a light breeze or cloud in the sky, just complete aridity. I didn’t care. The water always gave me respite and I needed it today before going home.

I wanted to enjoy the moment before telling my wife I lost my job.

From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher

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

Long Enough

David kept asking, “Whose funeral is it?”

His daughter replied, “Mom's.”

Minutes later he said, “Whose funeral is it?”

“Mom's.” Each reply earned the same quiet nod.

When the service ended, mourners drifted away. David stepped beside the casket. He slipped off his wedding band. “You'll need this,” he whispered to the casket. “Take good care of it.”

The daughter blinked back tears.

He smiled faintly, patted the casket, and walked on. Halfway down the path, he stopped. “Whose funeral is it?”

His daughter slipped her arm through his, and they walked slowly toward home beneath silent autumn trees together.

From Guest Contributor E. Barnes

E. Barnes has work published at A Story In 100 Words, Spillwords, The Purple Pen, The Haven, and Medium.

Back From The Correctional Facility

“I took the letters you sent, Ralph, and made them into a book.”

“A book? Or a manuscript, Claudette?”

After six months at the correctional facility, Ralph was finally home.

“Did you like them, Claudette?”

“I guess it's the thought that counts. I couldn't always get your spelling. Sometimes you were in a bad mood.”

“It was food…I kept writing for food.”

He was allowed only a pencil and paper.

“That's great, Claudette. You made a manuscript, and you were faithful to me the whole time.”

“Well, I wouldn't go that far.”

“You mean...You didn't make a manuscript?”

From Guest Contributor David Sydney

For the prompt Manuscript and Letter

Safari

I couldn’t believe I was in Africa on a safari and that my dream came to fruition.

My guide points to the giraffes in the field; their long necks and legs were ominous to other smaller animals.

The elephants led their young and stayed nearby. It was astonishing seeing them up close, the males’ prominent ivory tusks digging the soil as their young squeaked.

The heat in Africa was unbearable, so I sipped my bottled water to stay hydrated in awe of my surroundings.

The tour ended and I was back at my hotel.

Tomorrow, my flight home to reality.

From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher