Posts Tagged ‘Guest Contributor’
Jul
Mysophobia
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
His washing machine breaks down, and he won’t let a repairman into the house, so he’s at the laundromat, after washing his hands six times, adjusting his surgical mask and eye goggles and latex gloves, removing the cover from his steering wheel and dusting the seat before driving; then choosing a machine, seeing some schmutz on it, spraying it transparent, staining his glove, looking up to see his future wife hand him a fresh one from her stockpile of cotton, rubber, and plastic gloves, the surprised man asking, Is that a real hazmat suit? but already thinking, I love you.
From Guest Contributor Cheryl Snell
Jul
Dougie
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
I carried my dog Dougie to the car, his whining echoing. I was too busy engrossed in the baseball game to notice his barking and I have no idea how long he was trapped in that wire fence while I cheered and gorged on chips.
I drove to the veterinarian at warp speed and hoped not to get pulled over. My heart pounded, but I kept my cool and talked to him. “It’ll be okay, Dougie.”
I slammed open the door and yelled: “Help him!”
“Don’t worry we’ll do everything we can to save Dougie’s leg.”
I sat and waited.
From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher
Jun
Safe?
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
The train came to a halt, and the platform filled with German police. They entered, and people quieted while my heart pounded.
“Papers!”
I handed my identification to the Nazi, and he scanned them, eyeing me at the same time as I sweated profusely. He tossed them on my lap and moved on, not noticing the forgery.
Screams ensued as the woman behind me beseeched the officer to let her husband go, and then I heard a thud. The Man had collapsed, presumably dead and the woman in hysterics was taken away.
A few more stops and I’ll be safe.
From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher
Jun
Is It A Lie?
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Anna walks in and out of alleys to avoid the Gestapo, hiding bread and cheese under her coat to feed the Jewish child she is hiding.
Anna, a Catholic, met Helena in the neighborhood when they were children and have been friends ever since. When news broke that Hitler would be sending the Jewish to camps, Anna immediately took her friend’s daughter into hiding.
She makes it home without incident. Anna hurries upstairs to the attic and pushes the latch open.
Anna takes the girl in her arms and tells her everything will be all right.
Is it a lie?
From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher
Jun
Fantasy Winners
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Were the Newtown Bluebirds getting worse? Their last loss was 19-0. The one before that, 17-0.
Coach Mel Fromberg, at the practice field, addressed the Little Leaguers.
“Winners. We’re going to be winners.”
“Close your eyes, everybody. ”
It was to be a group-fantasy-session.
“See yourself as a winner. Then, see the whole team of winners…”
“Eddie? A winner?” Steve Bramwell, the second-baseman, said he couldn’t see it.
Eddie Franklin, the shortstop, said the same of Steve.
“Try again,” demanded Mel, his eyes still closed. But Steve? Eddie? The Bluebirds? Winners? What kind of task had Mel set for them all?
From Guest Contributor David Sydney
Jun
First Time
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
I have waited for this moment since childhood. Now as an adult in my car with the engine running, I’m thinking of excuses to put my foot to the accelerator.
I remove my sunglasses and shut the radio in the middle of “You are the Wind Beneath My Wings,” and turn the car off. This song brings back memories of my wedding. I wish Melinda were still alive.
As I approach the porch and knock on the door, I hear footsteps stomping down the stairs.
Would it be my mother or father who’d I’d be meeting for the first time?
From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher
May
Conspiracy Theory
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Beyond porch lights, snow piles up, sealing in anxious women. They stand at windowsills watching the sky glower. Blinking in the fists of children are glo-stix to throw at the towering drifts, aiming where the eyes should go. Elsewhere, a child snaps his birthday gift of a bow-and-arrow in half. The moon rolls down a hill and thunder beats its metal chest, a rattling that distracts everyone from the whir of an incoming drone. It kicks up all the snow but means no harm, though some will insist the machine was an alien ship, come to take the glo-stix home.
From Guest Contributor Cheryl Snell
May
Our Night Out
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Thomas was excited to see Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theatre. President Lincoln would be attending, and he was overwhelmed with contentment that he’d be there on the same night.
Inside the theater, Thomas took his wife’s gloved hand and offered her a seat before seating himself.
The play was amusing and colorful with a copious audience.
Above, Lincoln sat with his wife Mary enthralled with the actors, then a shot fired, and screams erupted. A man jumped onto the stage and yelled before fleeing, “Thus always to tyrants.”
That would be the one and only time I’d see Lincoln.
From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher
May
Monty Rediscovers Home
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Six-year-old Monty, a master of his plastic sword, calculates strikes against imaginary giants while he takes cover behind backyard trees. When his mother’s voice pierces through his fantasy, calling him for dinner, the warrior boy marches home victorious.
Forty-year-old Monty daydreams of being a fearless commander defending his country against terrorists and, at night, dreams of being a superhero saving his city from crime and corruption.
While cleaning out his garage, Monty finds his plastic sword and wields it again, destroying enemies with a battle cry whoop. The brave boy/man rediscovers his inner sanctuary to face his lackluster world.
From Guest Contributor Leigh-Anne Burley
May
Alive
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Guns roared and bullets skyrocketed past my head. I ducked and took deep breaths. The man next to me bled out. There wasn’t anything I could do.
“Retreat,” the lieutenant yelled.
Retreat where, I wondered? I reloaded my weapon and aimed at anything coming toward me.
It was chaotic. Men screaming, bodies strewn everywhere. If I got out alive it would be a miracle.
Something hit me from behind. I looked and my stomach bled deep red. I crumpled to the ground, then everything went black.
When I awakened, I was on a stretcher in a helicopter.
I made it.
From Guest Contributor Lisa M. Scuderi-Burkimsher