My Short Short for the Day

It was a day like any other day.  Nothing in particular stood out as Wilbur scuffed along the dirt path.  The sun was shining…like always.  The air was stale…like always.  The heat was uncomfortable…like always.  The lecture was boring…like always.  Wilbur sighed heavily and shifted from one foot to the other to keep his legs from going numb.  When would this end?  With another sigh, Wilbur looked around trying to find anything interesting to distract him.  Everything looked brown and lifeless…like always.  Then something caught his eye.  

It was a flash of something.  He scanned the ground trying to catch another glimpse when the flash blinded him for a moment.  Without thinking he moved towards the shining object.  What was it?  The lecturer carried on taking no heed of the student wandering away.  Wilbur walked briskly towards the flash, never taking his eyes off it.  As he got closer he realized the flash was coming from the stones laid out in some kind of pattern on a flat, gray rock.  He squinted to make out the pattern.  He leaned down closer to get a better look.  The flash came again and he felt a sudden jerk.  He couldn’t move.  He couldn’t see.  He couldn’t breathe.  He couldn’t think.

“And here we have the lizard stone.  Long ago, people believed this stone possessed the power to capture souls.  Whatever you do, don’t look directly into its eyes.”  The lecturer spoke in monotone.  “And here we have the prickly pear cactus…”

My Short Short for the Day

“It’s so cold Mom!”  Herman whined.

“I know dear, but you’ll get used to it.”  Mom said gently.

“But Mom!  I don’t want to get used to it.  I want to be warm.”  Herman drooped.  “Why can’t it be sunny all the time?”

“Because dear, we live in Maine.”  Mom replied patiently.  “We live where in a place where there are seasons.  And that means changes in the weather.”

“But why?”  Herman pouted.

“Because our ancestors decided to take root here.”  Mom answered shaking the snow off her branches.

“I wish I was a palm tree.”  Herman grumbled flapping his branches.

“But then look at all the beauty you would miss out on.”  Mom said pointing.

Herman paused his grumbling for a moment to look out at the scene around him.  He saw the snow dusted ground.  The glistening ice crystals hanging from the rooftop.  He smelled the crisp, chill of the air.  He listened to the peaceful, quiet of the day.  Everything was calm, pleasant and serene.  It was beautiful here he thought to himself.

Mom smiled and went back to shaking her branches.

My Short Short for the Day

It was a cold and dreary day as Missy trudged along the road.  School was out early but she had nowhere to go.  No place fun at least.  It had been cold for days and all the water froze over but it hadn’t snowed yet.  Only 3 more days until Christmas and no snow.  Missy hated green winters.  That meant no sledding, no snowmen, no snowball fights, no snow forts and no snow days from school.  She looked up into the gray sky.  I know how you feel she muttered. 

It got dark early now, so her mom had told her to head home right after school.  No dilly dallying.  Whatever that was.  She took the long way home today since she had extra time.  She scuffed her boots along the tar until she came to a patch of ice.  I wonder if it’s strong enough for me to skate across.  She lightly touched the edge and it held.  She put some weight onto that foot and it still held up.  She leaned in and CRACK!  She yanked her foot back before it slipped into the water.   Whew!  Close call.  Maybe it’s thicker towards the middle. 

She hesitated for a moment, then stepped as far out onto the ice as she could reach.  She leaned to put more weight on it and the ice felt solid.  She leaned a little more but then her foot slid away from her.  She jerked to pull it back but lost her balance and SMASH!  Landed on her butt and broke through the ice.  Not only did her feet get wet but so did her pants, legs and hands.

After a few seconds, the shock wore off and she climbed out of the puddle.  There was no hiding it, she was soaked and muddy.  And now, with the chill in the air, she was getting cold, too.  Stupid ice.  She muttered as she trudged along the road.

My Short Short for the Day

The gems sparkled in the sunlight.  Randy stretched out his hand to touch it.  So shiny!  He couldn’t resist. 

“Wait!  No Randy!”  Ally shouted.  “No touch!”

Randy pulled his hand back and pouted.  “Yes touch.”  He said sticking his lip out.

“No Randy.  You can’t touch that.”  Ally said squatting down to his level.  “It’ll hurt you.”

“Hrmph.”  Randy crossed his arms and turned away.

“Come on Randy.”  Ally put her hand on his shoulder and gently pushed.  “It’s time to go home.”

“Don’t want to.”  Randy pulled away.

“Please Randy.  Mom’s waiting.”  Ally pleaded.  “It’ll be dark soon.  We don’t want to be out.”

“Ok.”  Randy’s shoulders slumped in defeat.

Ally smiled and took his hand.  She started to move forward when Randy jerked her hand.  “Randy?!”

Ally stumbled and fell toward the stone.  “No!”  Randy yelled trying to pull her back but she was too heavy so he just held on tight to her hand.

Ally put her hand up to protect her face but there was not impact.  Ally opened her eyes and Thud!  “Oomph!”  The wind was knocked out of her for a moment. 

“Ally, where are we?”  Randy’s voice sounded so small.

Ally looked over at him sprawled out next to her, still holding tight to her hand.  His eyes were so big as he stared past her.  Ally followed his gaze and blinked hard.  “I…I don’t know Randy.”

My Short Short for the Day

It had only been moments since the boat capsized but all evidence had been sucked under the white capped waves already.  There was nothing left, nothing except Ralph.  He bobbed in the water, thankful for the life vest.  The only thing keeping him from being sucked under with all the rest of the debris.  What would he do?  How would he survive?  He had no idea which direction to go.  If only he had a compass.  But then again, he had never needed a compass.  True sailors only needed the sun and stars to guide them.  If only he could see some bit of land somewhere, though.  To give him a focus point.  To give him hope.  The icy cold of the ocean chilled him.  Starting to shiver he knew he had to do something.  The sun was heading down and who knows what would be out in the dark.  He could barely see below the surface now, and with the darkness in the air and below, it was too frightening to think about.  His heart began to race.  He had to swim.  But which way?  Which way was to safety? 

“Ralph, come on.  Mom said we’re leaving now.”

You just need to stay calm and think.  I’ve got it.  The sun sets in the west, all good sailors knew that.  Ralph turned his face up to the sun.  Ah, yes, I must go that way.  Triumphantly Ralph began to swim doggy paddling as fast as he could.  Look!  There’s land.  After swimming for hours, he reached the shore.  He flopped onto the sand, smiling in relief.  He had saved himself from the terrors of the ocean.  His story would go down in history as the greatest…

“Ralph.  Move it!”

…the greatest sailor…

“Ralph!”

…of all time!

My Short Short for the Day

Margie stared, mouth open, eyes fixed, legs paralyzed as the ominous cloud rolled towards her.  Her mind was screaming to run but she just couldn’t get her legs to move.  Must run!  She yelled at herself.  Run Margie!  Run!  Suddenly her legs broke free and she moved.  Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tried to run, her legs only moved in slow motion.  Faster Margie or it’ll get us for sure!  She urged her body to move, she demanded, she pleaded but nothing helped.  Her body moved slowly inching forward, refusing to acknowledge the impending doom.

The cloud rolled relentlessly toward her.  She struggled to speed up but to no avail.  She could hear people screaming around her to hurry but she couldn’t.  She tried to crouch and push off like a sprinter.  She tried to leap and jump start her running.  She tried taking smaller steps to get more traction.  But nothing worked. Her legs moved ever so slowly.

The cloud was on her now.  She yelled, cursing her legs and choking on the dirt laden air. She thrashed her arms and bolted upright in bed.  Still coughing she stared into the darkness until the cloud disappeared and her mind refocused.  “I hate those dreams!”  She muttered flopping backwards.  “Stupid slow motion.”

My Short Short for the Day

“Swim fishy, swim!”  The little girl shouted skipping along the snake trail. 

“Hurry up Etta.”  Her mother called.

Etta switched to a run to catch her mom and dad.  Her blond streaked pigtails flapping in the breeze as she pumped her arms back and forth, as fast as she could.  She ran headlong into the back of her dad’s leg. 

“Whoa, careful kiddo.”  Her dad said swinging her up into the air.

“Whee!  I’m a bird!”  Etta sang stretching her arms out.  “Look at me Mom!”

“I see.  You’re flying.”  Her mom smiled up at her.

“Oh, look!  The fishy is flying, too!”  Etta grinned.  “Fly fishy, fly!”

“Silly Etta!  Fish can’t fly.”  Her dad said setting her back on the ground.

“This one can.”  Etta replied pointing up.  “See?!”

Etta’s mom and dad looked up and saw the beautiful blue sky with some puffy, white clouds floating lazily by.  “Sorry Etta, but I don’t see any flying fish.”  Etta’s dad said patting her on the head.

“But it’s right up there.”  Etta’s smile faded.  “Can you see it Mom?”

Etta’s mom squatted down next to her.  “Um, well, that cloud kind of looks like a fish.”

“Hrmph.”  Etta pouted.  “Well, it is up there.  I’m looking right at it.” 

“I’m sure you believe that, dear.”  Etta’s dad said walking away.

“Sorry, fishy.  I guess they can’t see you.  But I do.”  Etta said.  “Have fun flying.”

Etta waved to the fishy and ran off to catch up with her parents.  The fishy flapped its flipper then soared into the deep, blue sky, leaping up and over the fluffy clouds. 

My Short Short for the Day

Ollie raced down the packed dirt path, up the stone steps, weaving in and around the weathered grave markers.  This is awesome!  Ollie loved to run.  He ran across fields, through forests and up and down the leaf strewn pathways of the graveyard.  That was his favorite.  The silence was eerie to some, but not to Ollie.  He felt at peace here, among the ancient stones.  Sometimes he would slow down enough to read the names and dates and try to imagine what life had been like for them.  Once in a while he came across someone who had died very young.  He’d be sad for days after, trying hard not to imagine how the person’s family had felt when they lost their child. 

The wind blew strong bringing tears to his eyes but it didn’t slow him down.  Not today.  No time for reading names or calculating dates.  He was with his best friend Zak and Zak was winning.  That just wouldn’t do.  He knew a shortcut and made a sharp left turn.  He raced down the path, breathing heavy but smiling as he kicked up dust behind him.  Almost there, just a bit further.  He dashed across the invisible line just as Zak crested the hill.

“Aw, man!  You won again Ollie!”  Zak patted Ollie on the back.  “You’re too fast for me, boy.”

Ollie nudged Zak’s hand and Zak gave him a quick scratch behind the ears.  “Good run, boy!  Here you go."

Ollie accepted the biscuit and devoured it in one bite.  He fell in step with Zak, padding along beside him.  Tongue hanging out to the side and a happy grin on his face.  Still the fastest runner around, he thought proudly.

My Short Short for the Day

Ed stumbled down the hallway blinking his eyes rapidly trying to clear away the blurriness.  What was in that drink?  He didn’t think he’d had that much alcohol.  Usually he could hold his own for at least 4 or 5, but tonight, one was enough.  Whew!  Almost there.  He paused for a moment to steady himself.  A couple more rooms and he’d be at his cabin.  The train rocked gently as it sped down the tracks.  He used to love trains as a child.  Watching them.  Building them.  Drawing them.  Chasing them.  But this was his first time riding one.  He’d felt like a kid when he boarded back in San Jose.  Now he felt so old.  Rest.  That’s what he needed.  Just a short nap and he’d feel like his young self again.  Just one more door. 

“So, there you are, my boy!”  The gruff voice came from behind.

Ed leaned his back against the wall and slowly turned his head toward the voice.  He squinted trying to focus but could only see hard, dark eyes staring back at him.  “Do…do I know you?” 

“Sure you do, old chum.  Let’s get into your cabin there and have ourselves a chat.”  A rough hand clenched his arm while the other opened the door. 

Roughly Ed was shoved into the room.  He stumbled and caught his chin on the tiny table by the window.  He saw stars for a moment before the black of night overcame him.