My Short Short Story for the Day

You have a choice. You can travel back in time to change something and then return to the present.

The words echoed in my ears as I sat down. I know what I want to do and feel the urgency to leave immediately, but I have to stop and think. That's just who I am. I don't like to rush in. I need to think it through and be sure. My sister died of leukemia and if I went back in time I could tell her to get her blood checked. Then maybe they would catch it soon enough and be able to cure her. Or, better yet, I could do all kinds of research and take all that information back with me and give it to her and the doctors so they could save her. But what would that mean? How would my life change? Most importantly, would my daughter still be there when I returned to the present? I love my daughter more than anything but I'd give almost anything to have my sister alive. What should I do? Do I go back or don't I?

My Short Short Story for the Day

Max walked into the living room as I set the final piece of food on the table. Placing my hands on my hips, I turned to him with the sternest look I could muster. “Did you get it?”

“Yeah.” He swung his backpack off his shoulder and unzipped the top. “See. What do you want it for anyway?”

“Well, because we'll need it where we're going.” I replied with a huff. “Let's see it.”

With a shrug he pulled out the prized possession. I nearly snatched it out of his hand but quickly caught myself. “Good.” I slowly took the item from his hand and gently placed it on the table. “Ok. Let's divide up the food then we can get going.”

Max reached for a banana but I grabbed it first. “No. I'll do it.” I opened my backpack and put in the strawberries, oranges, watermelon, pasta, cookie, brownies, carrot, lettuce and ice cream.

“Hey, I want some.” Max whined.

“Ok. Ok. Here, you get these things.” I put the potato, butter, bologna, frozen veggies, goat soup, bananas and french fry. When he looked away, I stuffed the rest of the food into my bag and zipped it up.

“Now we can go?” He asked zipping his bag and slinging it over his shoulder.

“Yes, we're ready.” I said carefully hefting the pack onto my back and adjusting the straps. “We're going out into the desert to find water. We may not make it back alive.”

“Coooool.” Max said.

My Short Short Story for the Day

It was a beautiful morning. The sun shining, a soft cool breeze and no smog. I drove my van up into the hills above the smog layer so the air was clear. How blue the sky looks when the smog isn't blocking it. I parked my van in the dirt area where a couple other cars were resting after the long drive. I climbed out and took a deep breath of the freshness. With a smile on my face I walked across the parking lot to the dirt path and soon found myself at a small pond. The sun glinted off the green water. I could see movement a few feet out and quietly watched. Soon a turtle poked its head up out of the water. I forgot about the camera in my hand as I watched the turtle swim towards me, climb up on a branch and stretch out for a sunning. I heard a splash nearby and followed the sound. I came to a tangle of trees and saw several ducks paddling around in the shady water. I looked into the branches and spotted some ducks resting a few inches above the water. I continued to look around and saw a couple ducks much higher up in the trees. This time I remembered that my whole point of coming was to get some pictures. Pulling out my camera I clicked away. Now to get back to enjoying the beauty before me, surrounding me. Breathe in the fresh air, feel the warmth of sun on my face. Smile.

My Short Short Story for the Day

“Kick Jack! Kick!” Sam yelled.

“I am! I am!” Jack shouted. “ It's not working!”

“Ok. Ok. Don't panic.” Sam said taking a deep breath.

“Ok. I'm calm.” Jack said letting out a slow breath.

“What do we do now?” Sam asked.

“I don't know.” Jack mumbled. “But we can't stay here, can we?”

“Well, it is nice and warm in this spot.” Sam replied.

“Yeah, it's a sweet spot, huh?”

“Totally!”

“Well, I guess we could sit here a while and you know, think about what to do next.”

“Yeah. Yeah. That's a good idea.”

“Ahhhh! Nice day today, huh?”

“Sure is. Lots of sun. No rain. Perfect.”

“Yup. Perfect.”