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

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

Headache

The pressure was excruciating; a hammer beating against my eyelids. I had headaches before, but this was bad enough to send chills down my body and put me in bed. All I could think about was how I would get through my job interview at three o’clock. It was eleven o’clock. I had three hours to let the pain subside. I just had to relax and let the Ibuprofen take effect.

I awakened two hours later, refreshed and ready to take a shower, when I noticed a voicemail on my phone.

It was the company calling to reschedule the interview.

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

Scarf

A silky white scarf sits on Kate’s hope chest, a gift from her mother resurfacing memories; the laughter of family and friends filling the room, the sound of voices singing happy birthday, and the gifts. The most precious, the scarf. It had been handed down by her grandmother to her mother and now Kate.

On her sick bed, Kate’s mother, with little strength, placed the scarf around her daughter’s neck and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. She wiped away a tear rolling down Kate’s cheek.

As Kate places the scarf around her neck, she feels her touch.

From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher

Café

Sarah limps from the explosion, barely able to see through the dust and debris. She coughs, covers her mouth with the torn scarf, and follows the sounds of voices.

Her son and husband are most likely buried in the rubble. The last visual she has of them is laughing while they were having lunch at the café, she sipping her tea while listening to their previous day’s outing.

Her leg is throbbing, and her head pounds, but she sees soldiers up ahead.

Panting, she pleads, “My husband and son need help.”

The soldier gives her a pitying look and nods.

From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher

List

The Poland that I once knew is gone. I haven’t been back since the war and now that it’s over, I won’t stay. Too many memories. I came here for a purpose. Eleanora left the bottle with the list buried in the courtyard.

The building reduced to rubble and smoke made me gag, but I waded through the debris to the back and went to the spot where she told me it’s hidden. I used my hands to dig, and there the bottle lay in the dirt with the list of names that would reunite Jewish children with their families.

From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher

Evening Walk

I still smelled the floral scent of my wife’s perfume and dreamed of her laughing, a soft cackle that used to bring a smile to my face. Her beautiful complexion used to turn heads wherever we went. She was flawless.

One evening the air was perfect for a walk, or so we thought.

That was the evening a man wearing a mask robbed my wallet. When my wife called him a coward, he shot her in the stomach. When she laid on the ground, my hand cupping her head, she whispered, “I love you.”

My world was never the same.

From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher

Adrenaline

Bullets passed by my head in a blur, and I had only one chance to make a run for it.

I hid behind the bushes with soldiers’ lifeless bodies nearby, a sitting duck waiting to be devoured. I took deep breaths, counted to ten, then ran and shot in the air at anything that moved.

I had to make it back to my family. My wife’s sky-blue eyes, flowing brown hair and son’s quick wit pictured in my mind, gave me the adrenaline I needed.

Chaos ensued and men started shooting, but I kept going.

I made it. Then collapsed.

From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher

Fur Baby

My small fur baby, fifteen-years-old, passed away gently in my arms. Before she closed her lids for the final time, she looked at me with her big brown eyes and gently patted my arm, as if to say thank you for the years of love and care.

As I held her softly, I whispered that she was a joy and gave my life purpose as only a sweet dog can do.

I brushed her ear forward, kissed her tiny head and her hair tickled my face.

Goodbye my cute one, you were loved and will be forever in my heart.

From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher