This day, the cobwebs clear. I see without shadows of uncertainty, and the minutes unfold in light. I hear songbirds outside my window; a seagull squawks, a goldfinch twitters. I wake beside the man who knows me, who has cared for me these last fifty years. He smiles when I recognize him. He takes my…
Category: Fiction
The Arrows that Guide You
Out for a walk, I came upon a sign I had never seen before. The arrow painted on the sign was prominent, and I followed as it directed. Seeing another one in the distance, I moved toward it. The arrow pointed right. I followed until I came upon yet another sign pointing left. I followed…
How Shall We Live?
I am pleased to have my short story included in the All Your Stories Anthology March 2026! How Shall We Live? Out of desperation, Jason considered asking for food at the church. The young boy passed through the columns and snuck closer to the front door but found it locked with a sign that read,…
Fire in the Distance
How can I leave my home? Do I simply watch it burn from a distance? What is life without my memories; paintings on the wall from places I’ll never visit again, figurines on the mantle from special occasions that will never come back around, photos with no backup. My daughter keeps calling. I know she’ll…
Happy Valentine’s!
Belle left the train and strolled toward home. When her phone dinged, she read the message from her husband. Stopping mid-stride, she typed, “What? Why?” He explained. She replied, “I know it’s Valentine’s, so why would you take me there?” They messaged back and forth until she said, “Okay, I’ll be home as soon as…
Where She Wasn’t Meant to Land
“Oh, the weather outside is frightful,” Alice sang, rushing down the outdoor stairs. “But it is not delightful,” she mumbled just before her foot slipped on the ice. Arms flailing, she landed hard on the sidewalk. The air shimmered. In the next breath, she stood at the top of the stairs again. Her heart pounding,…
Night Murals
Bruce returned home with only a duffel bag that smelled of durian and rice fields. People hailed him. People hated him. To help erase what he had seen, forget what he had done, he painted murals beneath bridges and behind buildings, under the cover of night. People paused to admire his work, scenes of neighbors…
The Passage
Alaina longed to enter the big tent. Her mother would say, “There is no rush.” Each summer, the carnival arrived on the outskirts of town. Not everyone was allowed inside the big top, only those selected. When her name was called, Alaina’s mother hugged her tight. Once inside, Alaina experienced the thrills and tasted the…
Until the Time is Right
I lie in wait, watching. You do not understand what you are doing as you admire your reflection in the glassy frozen surface of my waters. As you glance at your reflection, I am looking back at you. I listen to mimic the intonations of your voice. I capture your facial features and expressions to…
Christmas Promise
Here’s my final Christmas short story published in MockingOwl Roost Literary Magazine. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas Day, filled with lots of laughter and love! ~~ The icy Christmas Eve air seeped in through the window frames and settled in Maya’s bones, stealing away her sleep. She woke with a shiver in the back seat…
The Spirit of Christmas
Here is the second of three Christmas short stories published by MockingOwl Roost Literary Magazine. There are echoes from my own childhood included in this piece. Joyful holidays to you! Christie Her heart sank as she watched her daughter, Lydia, and two sons quietly eating their breakfast at the kitchen table. With Christmas nearing, she had…
Nearly Caught
This is the first of three Christmas short stories published in the MockingOwl Roost Literary Magazine. Wishing you joy for the holiday season! ~~ I watch the mall fade in my rearview mirror as I speed away, my hands trembling on the steering wheel. My heart continues to race. It had been a close encounter….
