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Latest Stories

March 13, 2025
General Stories Vishesh Panthi

The Powerful Adversary

A very wise master named Shamon lives in Japan. He is well-known for his intelligence and discipline. Shamon teaches kendo and jujutsu, traditional Japanese martial arts, in a small town in Japan. All those who wish to learn kung fu, kendo, or any other art…
March 13, 2025
Romance Stories L Christopher Hennessy

Tomorrow Is A Long Time

Lately, I just don't know. It's a beautiful feeling to be of use to a woman again and when I tell her, " Woman, please… Just let me do many things, " it makes her laugh. It's good to hear and her smile is amazing, too. Why do broken people see a way out…
March 13, 2025
Poetry Paweł Markiewicz

Autumn In The Heart

If you have autumn in your heart, blessed soul,the morning star foretells rain of memories here.Highlights and shadows – an ontological being.I’m curious about your paths, your ethical emotions.If the heart breaks the ice of memory,the heart becomes full of…
March 13, 2025
General Stories Devin D. Householder

Hinge Hookups In A Zombie Apocalypse

A 24-year old hairdresser and a 37-year old divorced English teacher scroll their phones in search of love…whatever that is these days. Kat eyed Jim while she poured his gifted Pinot into her tiny apartment’s only two wine glasses. His profile picture didn’t…
March 13, 2025
Horror Stories Robert Hugh

It's Not What You Think

The two uniformed cops stood by their motorcycles. The alleyway was blocked off while the forensics team did their job. “Do you know what happened?” “A detective told me it’s the killer they’ve been looking for.” “Who’s the other guy?” “No idea.” Nearby a…
March 13, 2025
General Stories Alejandro Casas

Hekate

In the early hours of the morning on the first Monday of the first week of the year 2020, Damian woke up panic-stricken at the sound of air horns blaring through his city. Awakening from the stupor of deep-seated rest, he recounted and pondered the…
March 13, 2025
Flash Fiction Marvel Chukwudi Pephel

Brotherhood Of The Blue Traveling Pants

Stop! Easy. Quiet. Listen. Don't rush. I want to tell you a story that needs you to close your eyes. It's the whole vibe. Trust me. I guess theories are oftentimes over-hyped. And this story could seem like a mathematical asymptote. But effort, sure as hell,…
March 13, 2025
Poetry Paweł Markiewicz

The longing The Pindaric Ode

You – such a dreamery born from Dionysian odes like tender day in Your winds – enchanted butterflies as the Golden Fleece – bewitched in my meek fantasy august paradise lost is thus found and so dreamy You lotus-like butterfly you – above volcanos with…
January 28, 2025
General Stories Marvel Chukwudi Pephel

Old Addictions In New Bottles – A Modern Retelling Of Rip Van Winkle

Mental gymnastics is no fun fair, and Rip Van Winkle had lost his mind. Certainly, It would help here to elucidate on the events that led to his losing his mind. Rip Van Winkle, after some wild tantrums from his wife, had left his home into the rocky fields…
January 28, 2025
Horror Stories Cecilia Kennedy

Photo Album For A Ghost

Wild owls hit my window at night. I have a floodlight on, outside, because someone has followed me home, and between the owls and the nightly invasions, I can’t sleep. A door, slamming shut in my dream, wakes me up because it’s real. I steady myself, breathe…
January 28, 2025
Crime Stories Jason Smith

Cinnamon Pine Cones

“I guess they found him.” Liam thought. He'd been expecting it ever since Ben had died. The city’s finest had turned out in force, the flickering lights lit up his living room. He'd seen the first police car arrive. The police officer had repeatedly knocked…
January 28, 2025
Horror Stories Alejandro Casas

Death

It had long weighed on the child’s consciousness that the illness and malaise of his early years had transformed his parents’ faces. His close brushes with death, both physical and metaphysical, had often reinvigorated his desire to live. Yet constraint,…

Dear Harold,

It was real good to see you the other night. Not many guys would have bought a girl pretzels on a first date. To me it was a real sign of you. Like a statement, I guess you would say.

Anyway, I think you should not be too embarrassed because your fly stuck open at the dance. I don't think people noticed. They looked at you and laughed because of that funny joke you told I am sure. I felt bad you had to explain it three times to those dummies at our table. But some folks just are not too swift you know.

Thank you too for your real sweet apology. I have to admit I have never danced with a man who sweat so much. And you are right. It was uncomfortable when it rolled down my shoulder. But a strapless dress is a risk and I do appreciate your concern.

You also don't have to worry about how the corsage got pinned. It didn't go too deep and the dress is washable. Cold water works wonders.

You are an unusual man, Harold. I have never known anyone like you before. I think sometimes people do not appreciate eccentricity for the gift that it is. Doing rumba moves to that waltz might be frowned on in some circles, but believe me it sets a person apart.

 

Also, I have to say I enjoyed the special effort you made to make the evening magic. I really did not mind changing the tire, so please don't worry about that. I know you couldn’t see that Don't-Back-Up sign because of how fogged up your glasses got.

Well, Harold, I'm running out of time. And of things to say. It's not often I do this with someone after only one date, believe me. When your hardware convention comes to town again, please look me up.

Your friend, Roseanne

 

Dear Harold,

It was nice of you to send me the can of mixed nuts and I only hope you’re not making some sort of statement about me and my friends. Knowing you, however, that is not likely so I guess it is just me. In any case, I should know by now that this is just right in keeping with the you of you, as my friend Swami Phil says.

I’m real sorry to hear that the tie I gave you got caught in the key making machine. I cannot believe people laughing at you about that, Harold. It is a shame they do not know you the way I do.

Did you like the box of chocolates I sent?

I look forward to your visit.

Hugs, Roseanne

 

 

Dear Harold,

Gosh, if I had known that your were allergic to macadamia nuts I would never have sent that particular can to you. Has the swelling gone down? Is the rash still there? People can be so cruel laughing because your scalp got bigger and the toupee wouldn’t fit right.

Well I must go.

Love, Roseanne.

 

Dear Harold,

When you don’t write I think it is because you are angry. And if you are not then you should say so.

I liked the camping trip although it upset me that you forgot the tent poles and that the branches poked a hole in the side. Telling me the warranty would cover the damage after it started to rain did not make me feel better.

I have always said you were different, Harold, and you are.

All the best,

Roseanne

 

Dear Harold,

It has been a long time since I have written, I know, but I have my reasons. Like I told you when I drove you that extra 100 miles to the airport because you could get a cheaper flight from there, that about did me in.

I’ve come to feel you’re taking advantage of me. Now it was nice of you to give me the canned ham at the airport and all, but as I told you before it’s against  my religion.

Sometimes it seems you don’t listen to a thing I say. I’m going to a doctor here, well a counselor, and she says every person in the world, how many ever that is, has a different way of looking at things. But I don’t think you understand that because thinking back I recall that when I say something mostly you say ‘ah ha’ and then keep on as if I said nothing. Which really is not the way it is supposed to be.

Thank you for the fruitcake. But, Harold, if you send presents you ought to examine the package. I found a note in it from your Aunt Mildred written three years ago saying Merry Christmas.

I’ve concluded that you are so different as to be weird, something some of my friends have said for a long time.

The truth is I am fed up. So goodbye.

Roseanne,

PS: I loved you

 

End

 

www.cambriacreations.com

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"Obsession" is in Torrid Literature Journal XII

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