Category: Fiction

My entry (with some edits) to the “Voucher Redeemed” Mini-Contest on Scribophile
(the italicized bit was copied from the challenge prompt and added for extra context)

---

A movie palace is closing down . . .

“So, this is it?”

“This is it.”

“I’m going to miss you, Edgar — what are you moving on to?”

“I’ll be glad to retire and help my daughter with her kids — if i can keep up with them.”

“I’m beginning not to understand this world either — what is this they’re handing out?”

“I’m not sure. They’re giving it to everyone who came this month — it’s from the gentlemen who bought the building.”

Inside the envelope, a voucher — a complimentary 3-month Pacific Prime streaming subscription:

“Do you know what they’re doing with the place?”

“Do they know?”

---

Fiction – Short Reads – Newsletter Signup

My entry (with some edits) to “Our Framily Holiday Gathering” Mini-Contest on Scribophile

---

In the context of a typical family holiday gathering, a precious opportunity to develop a connection from scratch.

“Hi.”

“Hey.”

“You’re Gabriela’s husband — Fabricio?”

“That’s right — and you must be Guga.”

“The cousin who lives abroad! First holiday with us? How are they treating you?”

“Oh, it has been great — I’m just trying not to be a burden on Gabby — let her enjoy the time sharing memories and laughs — how come you’re not partaking in the fun?”

“Well, I wasn’t around for most of that either. What are you having — need a refill?”

---

Fiction – Short Reads – Newsletter Signup

My entry (with some edits) to the “One Pink Slipper” Mini-Contest on Scribophile

---

“Lovek, I found your pink slipper!”

Clack-clack, click, clack . . .

“Would you like me to bring it over?”

Click, clack, clickety-clack . . .

“You didn’t hear me, did you? Here — it was under our bed,” she said while dropping it next to him. “I’m going to eat now.”

“Huh? Sure — I’ll join you in a bit” — clack-click-clack-clack . . .

Seventeen minutes later, the session timer went off — time for a long break. He got up, slid his foot in the slipper, and looked around, searching for the pair:

“Lovka?”

“Tak, Lovek?”

“Have you seen my other slipper?”

---

Fiction – Short Reads – Newsletter Signup

My entry (with some edits) to the “Blue Bic Lighter” Mini-Contest on Scribophile

---

We don’t always choose what to notice. I was drawn to his hands, performing the automated cigarette-lighting gesture. Inevitably, I noticed the lighter — a blue Bic — and what he smoked — Cavalier Mild — one can tell by the brand names that smoking is an outdated habit.

“I started in the army — smokers were the only ones allowed breaks.”

“I started in my first job — everybody smoked.”

“Now we’re the only two out here.” He exhaled slowly. “Look at them — I wonder which is worse: cigarette breaks, or no breaks at all.”

“Hopefully, someday we won’t need an excuse.”

---

Fiction – Short Reads – Newsletter Signup