Rose City Sisters – Page 5 – Flash fiction + Microfiction

But Mother, You Said by Ken Rosburg

Four-year-old Billy saw purple butterflies flitting in his backyard. He tried to catch one but when he got close it flew away. Billy followed the butterfly out of the garden, down the alley, across the street and through neighbors’ yards. He chased it until he lost sight, then he chased another. For hours, he chased butterflies until he finally chased one into his own garden.

He saw police cars in front of his house. Inside, his mother talked to policemen.

“Don’t interrupt when I’m busy,” Mom often said to Billy.

He remembered. Tired, he went to bed.

© Copyright 2016 Ken Rosburg. All rights reserved.
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Ken Rosburg is a retired US Air Force fighter pilot and a retired American Airlines pilot. He began writing in 2012 and has had works published in the national-award winning “SandScript” journal and in the e-zine, “A Long Story Short.” Ken resides in Tucson, Arizona with his wife of forty-seven years.

Killer Bees by Paula Johnson

Trevor planned to kill himself on his sixteenth birthday. Mom always said that his condition restricted him to raw, organic produce, so…no cake. His heart murmur precluded driving, Homeschooling was for his own protection. College was off the table.

His suicide would be dramatic, his weapon ordinary. He strolled to Arlington Garden and found bushes buzzing with bees. He plunged in, flailing and swatting his way into certain anaphylaxis.

Trevor reclined on a concrete bench and waited for the end. And waited. Two hours later, he arrived home with a dozen bee stings, a dozen donuts and a new plan.

© Copyright 2016 Paula Johnson. All rights reserved.
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Paula Johnson is the founder and editrix of The Rose City Sisters website. She also designs book covers, websites and other print and digital communications.

Third Time Around by Sandra McGillivray Ortgies

“Hold it! The wedding’s off!” Craig Carson, the bride’s father, roared at the caterers.

Guests were notified to appear at the Carson’s lakeside cabin instead, for a picnic sans bride and groom.

They’d both been married before, Matthew twice. His mother, Madeleine, would’ve bet money on this time.

She heard a commotion and turned to see Matthew and Cynthia arriving, hand in hand.

Maybe I can get to them before Craig kills him, she thought.

“You didn’t expect this; neither did we. The familiar arrangements spooked us like a premonition. We’ll be in Mexico. No use wasting a great honeymoon.”

© Copyright 2016 Sandra McGillivray Ortgies. All rights reserved.
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Sandra McGillivray Ortgies lives on Whidbey Island, WA and is a member of the Whidbey Writers Group. Her focus is on travel articles, short stories, and poetry.

Orders by Mike McNeff

Dusk creeps in as I set up the .50 caliber Barrett rifle, trying to catch my breath after the climb to the sniper hide.

“You’re getting out of shape,” my spotter Dave chides.

I don’t reply. My thoughts focus on the mission—a mission I don’t like.

Dave sighs. “You sure pissed off the ol’ man.”

“I don’t care. Ordering us to kill a guy without explaining why doesn’t set well with me.”

“Orders are orders. You going to pull the trigger?”

“I don’t know yet.”

I feel cold steel against my temple.

“Orders are orders.”

© Copyright 2016 Mike McNeff. All rights reserved.
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Mike McNeff is a retired cop and lawyer who has had two action novels published by Amazon Encore and a western published bv Booktrope. He is a member of Whidbey Writers Group on Whidbey Island.

My Heart—Your Soul by Pat Kelley Brunjes

I watch a raindrop slide slowly down the pane. On one side a rainbow arcs over the mountains. On the other side I see your reflection like a mirror into my soul and know you will always grace the pages of my life. A tear beads down my cheek keeping pace with the droplet.

I know it’s time because your father finally lifts himself from the car. When we talk to you, I hold your flag to my breast. Our love affair with you will never end.

© Copyright 2016 Pat Kelley Brunjes. All rights reserved.
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Pat Kelley Brunjes is a member of the Whidbey Writers Group.

The Shaggy-Haired People of Norman Wells by William Wren

It was so unlike the indifference he’d known in the city. People were outside in the hundreds, scruffy and eager.

This was the top of the world, between Tulita and Fort Good Hope, a place the Dene called Le Gohlini, and he was wanted. Needed!

He stepped outside. A cheer went up. Face flushed, he called, “Appointments! Mornings for haircuts; styling, colour, mani-pedis…afternoons. Who’s first?”

Pen in hand, he took the booking. After waiting three years, the shaggy northern town of Norman Wells finally had its hairstylist and he was finally where he belonged; a place where he had purpose.

© Copyright 2016 William Wren. All rights reserved.
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William Wren is a writer in New Brunswick, Canada. He has had two stories published previously by the Rose City Sisters: I’ve Never Been to Pasadena and Healing. He has one ebook collection of stories on Amazon, Disrupted Lives and Other Commotions. He has just completed another and hopes to make it available (as an ebook) very soon.

Loss by Barb Bland

“How was your golf game?” he asked.

For the fourth time I replied, “I didn’t play golf.”

“But you went to the country club, didn’t you?”

“Yes, dear, but it was to a luncheon. I was asked to photograph the fashion models.”

Silence.

Painfully, he turned his pale eyes and unshaved face towards me.

“Did you hit ‘em good?”

© Copyright 2016 Barb Bland. All rights reserved.
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Barb Bland retired to Whidbey Island, Washington from Alaska and is a member of Whidbey Writers Group. Running Free is her memoir recounting adventures transforming a feral dog into a trusted family pet.

Hail Green Tara (Or, In Stillness, She Sat) by Malaika Butoyi

In stillness, she sat. Swirling energies engulfed her meditation seat. Colors of the rainbow steadily coursed along her spine. Turmoil and lack lurked behind her. The sun shone on her green skin. When wisdom whispered, her heart listened. A chance to help discerned, her third eye opened. When the time came, she sprang to life. Gracefully, she rose to her fullest height. Swiftly, she leapt to a waterfall in the sky. Her cupped hands caught the silvery shower to redirect its flow. Then, drought ceased. Crops flourished. People and animals rejoiced. All because she sat, in stillness. Hail Green Tara.

© Copyright 2016 Malaika Butoyi. All rights reserved.
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Malaika Butoyi is a storyteller and yoga teacher in Arcadia, California

The Bird Catcher by Karen Rothboeck

The lonely boy wore red to attract hummingbirds. He stood beside the feeder for hours some days, reaching out to grab the emerald and ruby birds. He felt their hearts, which fluttered like moths in his hand. He watched their beaks, needles sewing invisible thread, as the birds struggled.

He never held them too long nor too tightly. There were hundreds he couldn’t catch. He kept hoping he would find Anna, who hatched in the thimble-sized nest outside his window. He missed her. All he had to remember her by was two halves of a tiny white egg.

© Copyright 2016 Karen Rothboeck. All rights reserved.
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Since retiring, Karen Rothboeck has enjoyed having time to write. Her stories appear in Write Around Whidbey, an anthology published by the Whidbey Writers Group.

How We Disappear by Alexa Pukall

JJ didn’t make friends easily. She’d been a shy toddler, second grader, teenager. In college, there were two friends. Sheila moved away to be ‘an artist.’ She barely made any money but sent pictures of crowds of people, saying, wish you were here.

Mary and her baby had mom-friends now.

JJ worked. She ate lunch alone, like in middle school. This is how you disappear, she thought. Not surprisingly. Not tragically. Just because no one notices you leave.

“Hey!” Someone nudged her—the new hire. “Do you mind? I don’t know anyone yet.”

Uncertainly, JJ looked down at her food.

© Copyright 2016 Alexa Pukall. All rights reserved.
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Alexa Pukall studied Creative Writing at Chapman University. She lives and writes in Frankfurt, Germany.

BFF by Miko Johnston

“C’mon Tansy, we’re gonna be late!”

Tansy springs atop a parked station wagon, skitters across its hood, then jumps off so cat-like I half expect her to lick her paw…hand.

She grins, Cheshire-like. “Let’s throw rocks at stores on Colorado.”

“That’s crazy.”

“I’m crazy. Don’t you know that?”

“You’re not crazy, you’re just part cat.”

She begins to purr and rubs her shoulder against mine. “What do you want to do?”

“Go to school.”

“You always say that.”

“I’m leaving now. You coming?”

Tansy dances around, leaping in her feline way before picking up her backpack. “Meow, let’s go.”

© Copyright 2016 Miko Johnston. All rights reserved.
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Miko Johnston is the author of the A Petal In The Wind series of historical novels. She’s a founding member of Writers in Residence. A former Glendale resident, she now lives in Washington (the big one).

Man of My Dreams by Bonnie Schroeder

Who says online dating doesn’t work? I’ve met the man of my dreams.

Just now the florist brought me a huge bouquet of red roses. The card reads, “Happy Anniversary. All my love, Jeff.”

The sentimental sweetheart—it’s been one month exactly since our first date.

Then the doorbell rings—the florist again, really flustered.

“I’m sorry. My idiot helper mixed up the delivery slips.”

He hands me six yellow roses.

The card: “Happy Birthday. XXOO Jeff.”

Another mix-up!

Wait: I use a fake birthday online—for security.

Hah! I’m not the only liar in town.

Striking a Chord by Lynn Nicholas

Her gaze met mine. I prayed for a flicker of remembrance. Her lips worked. She patted my hand, but her eyes reflected only shifting images from the big TV screen.

“Look what I brought you.”

I slipped the costume duplicate of Lady Di’s ring onto her finger. She stroked the large faux sapphire.

Stirring music announced the royal wedding re-run. The camera zoomed to the veiled bride’s face.

Mum’s expression transformed. From the front-row vantage point of her wheelchair, she raised her hand in a palm-inward royal wave and, ring displayed, regally fanned the air.

© Copyright 2016 Lynn Nicholas. All rights reserved.
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Lynn Nicholas writes out of Arizona, supervised by two dog friends, a supportive husband, and a black cat who keeps everyone in line. Flash fiction publications include: Every Day Fiction, A Long Story Short, Wow! (Women on Writing), Gay Fiction, and The Rose City Sisters. Lynn is a member of the Society of Southwestern Authors.

An Odd Pair by Sirius Bonner

At midnight, a vague sense of unease prompted her to investigate the dark hallway. But as the new governess passed the twins’ room, she heard voices speaking an unfamiliar tongue.

Looking through the keyhole, she froze, unbelieving. The twins were holding hands, walking backwards, and chanting, in unison, strange utterances. There were indiscernible chalk markings on the floor. Their stark, white nightshirts were streaked with something dark and red; their clasped hands covered in it.

Their new pet, their father’s gift from abroad, lay on the floor, unmoving.

She gasped. The twins’ attention snapped to the keyhole…

Rupert’s Snapping Turtle by Petrea Burchard

“I didn’t do anything, officer.”

“Maybe you should have, ma’am.”

The officer stomped out to the porch to wait for the coroner, walking right past Rupert’s crumpled body on the rug. Contaminating the scene of the crime, I think they call it.

But there was no crime.

Rupert always said I was slow. I didn’t make dinner fast enough, didn’t pour his beer quickly enough. He even said I was a slow learner. He called me “Tortoise.” It wasn’t an endearment.

Sure enough, when he keeled over I was slow to get to the phone. You were right, Rupert.

© Copyright 2016 Petrea Burchard. All rights reserved.
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Petrea Burchard enjoyed a 30-year acting career before morphing into a writer. She is the author of the novel, Camelot & Vine, as well as Act As If: Stumbling Through Hollywood With Headshot in Hand, essays about the life of a journeyman actor in Hollywood. She gained a following in the anime world as the original English voice of Ryoko, the sexy space pirate in the cult classic, Tenchi Muyo!, and continues to work in the voice-over field.