Daily Flash Fiction Stories
By Jay Tanji
It had been three weeks since the Parodaffolin made its nest in the Gilsey’s home. On top of the open awning in the center courtyard, the swan-like bird showed no signs of leaving. George hadn’t given the bird much thought, but it was all his wife could think of.
[Read more…] about The Unwanted ParodaffolinBy Darragh Ambrose
How long was he standing at that gate? One look around, a quick flash of his greying face either side, and pushed it open. Into the park for the first time in months. Outside on the road, a small car sputtered up and down over the ramps. It slowed at the corner, and the man saw a small child’s head poking out over the back seat, her little neck craning to get a look in at the playground.
[Read more…] about The PlaygroundBy Annie Lampman
“Sing, Baby, sing. That’s right darlin’, you can do it… Sing!” Her mother was this way—brown hair bouncing off her shoulders, stage smile outlined in “glamour-girl red,” fingers tapping against the folds of her dress creating little undulations of fabric as she exaggerated the movements of her mouth, lip-synching to Baby’s song as if she were bequeathing the pitch and notes to her.
[Read more…] about Calling FameBy Samuel Glover
The stage was set with a WELCOME banner for the 1965 Lawton High School class reunion. The host sat alone with someone he didn’t know at a round table for twelve in the hotel ballroom. The band broke out with Beatles music, “Twist and Shout.” Their wives left the group from the table to go dancing. No telling how long they’d be gone. The men looked at each other and both seemed to think it better to break the ice than freeze in it. Both spoke at the same time. The host let the man repeat himself.
[Read more…] about Lawton High 65By Ronan Keenan
The boy sits on his bed in the buttoned shirt and trousers he last wore at his Communion. The clothes feel stiff and are a bit short on the arms and legs. Hearing a car, he turns his head to look out the window. He recognizes Aunty’s car immediately because Ma and Dad talked about it a lot. The car is newer and bigger than Dad’s car.
[Read more…] about Aunty’s ApologyThe cool basement air was a welcome relief from the hot day above. The light bulb string brushed the top of Andrea’s head as she descended the steps, and she reached up to pull it, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the dim light. The washing machine glowed faintly white in its gloomy, concrete corner. Andrea hugged the plastic laundry basket in her left arm, reaching out with her right to open the lid, cold and smooth beneath her hand. She tipped the basket against the opening and began unloading the clothes piece by piece—a pair of jeans, a striped T-shirt, a lacy red bra.
[Read more…] about An Ordinary Chore