Tag Archives: #fiction

Relics

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My Mom passed away about a month ago and now the task of combing through a lifetime of memories waits around every corner of my childhood home.

After Dad’s passing several years ago I’d catch my Mom stopping in the places he would occupy just to breathe in his scent, talk to him, and be near him through the things he loved.

A mix of heartache and nostalgia, longing for the days he’d surprise her with a new vase full of flowers, a trinket she’d display proudly on a shelf, or a note he’d penned just for her.

Every piece collected and cared for with sentimental value that far outstripped each object’s worldly worth.

To most, including my brother, nothing more than junk; relics from a bygone era that with the exception of a few treasures will end up on the shelves of secondhand stores or in landfill.

It’s less simple for me, I see Mom and Dad and my youth in these objects and I can’t help but imagine what my children will think ‘someday’ as they sift through the remains of my life.

Written for GirlieOnTheEdge’s Six Sentence Stories challenge.
Word Prompt: Junk

Photo credit: Siora Photography via Unsplash.

Copyright 2021 Greg Glazebrook, All Rights Reserved.

New Hope

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Adam awoke from cryostasis; Eva and their children had not survived the journey.

Eight centuries and sixty-seven years had passed since New Hope catapulted into the cold vacuum of space, towards a new home.

Humanity lost, Adam walked to the edge of Canis Major, the Great Dog Sea, and undeniably knew what it meant to be alone.

Written for Week 306 of Sonya’s Three Line Tales challenge. Photo credit: Joshua Earle via Unsplash.
Copyright 2021 Greg Glazebrook, All Rights Reserved.

A Salty Situation

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Saturday morning Nathaniel asked me to make up a story for him. He is fascinated with the idea of imagination so I suggested that we write one together. He loved the idea and asked if we could write one about a train. Of course, as a five year old he had to be in the story. Here’s what we came up with. Hope you enjoy it.

Simon, a freight engine who proudly wore the #23 on his side was racing to Waterloo station to pick up his friend, Nathaniel. They were headed to the oceanside for the day. Nathaniel loved the beach. It would be Simon’s first time. He had never ridden the seaside route before.

Simon was not sure he’d like the sea air. The other engines teased him before leaving. They said the ocean would rust his wheels. He would end up wrecked like the steel ships sunken in the harbour. Continue reading →

Lola

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Life was good. Exactly where she expected to be. Still, it could be monotonous. She’d head to the bright lights to let loose. A new canvas, whatever she wanted to be.

She watched him walk in from her vantage at the bar. Familiar, but not tonight.

“Lola.” she introduced herself.

“Bill.” he replied timidly.

“First time?” She queried. Tonight she’d eat him alive.

She’d step back into life before he woke and smile when he got home with breakfast.

Written for Week #238 of Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt. (Word: Familiar, Count: 79)
Photo credit: cottonbro via Pexels.
Copyright 2021 Greg Glazebrook, All Rights Reserved.

Alternate Reality 5

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5: Reckoning

He is sitting at the table with his wife next to him. Sadie walks up from behind and leaning in whispers, “I remember what you did to me.”

His glass slips from his hand as she continues on a line. Looking back to see jets of red shoot across the white table. Her message delivered, like an arrow straight through the heart.

Standing at the end of the bar she watches as he slowly comes undone. Ready for the fight to come Sadie catches a glimpse in the mirror. She sees only herself looking back.

Part 4: Collision Course

Part 5 of 5
Part 1 originally written for Week #235 of Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt. (Word: Mirror, Count: 95)
Background Photo: Pawel Czerwinski via Unsplash.
Copyright 2021 Greg Glazebrook, All Rights Reserved.

Alternate Reality 4

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4. Collision Course

She had planned for weeks, since the invitation arrived at the door. Her journey set on its final trajectory. Coming this far seemed impossible. Self-conscious, Sadie enters…

The space was surreal, marble columns, pastel accents throughout, the dull roar of countless conversations filling the air. Scanning she sees him. A shiver shoots through her.

It wasn’t too late; she could still turn back. “No!”, Sadie screamed beneath her breath, “How could I look in the mirror again.”

With purpose, she weaved through the crowded room, her realities together approaching from all sides. Trembling she approaches…

Part 3: Convergence

Part 5: Reckoning

Part 4 of 5
Part 1 originally written for Week #235 of Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt. (Word: Mirror, Count: 95)
Background Photo: Pawel Czerwinski via Unsplash.
Copyright 2021 Greg Glazebrook, All Rights Reserved.

Mudlark Challenge

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I had two trains of thought for this week’s challenge and was unable to decide which I liked best so I published both. Can’t wait to read everyone else’s posts for such an interesting word.

Surprise

“That SOB,” Elena ranting, flung her wedding rings into the river, “and with my BFF!”

Upon returning home her flat erupted, “Happy Birthday!”

“Surprise,” he said, “Dana and I planned your party for a month!”

Elena would spend the next four days mudlarking in the very spot he’d proposed seven years earlier.

Bridge Jumper

The heavens rained down all morning, the track soft and muddy. He couldn’t believe his luck.

Raindance was listed at 100-1. A longshot but she was a mudlark!

Never good at the ponies he’d drop every last penny to win.

Later, walking home he wouldn’t make it across the Easton Street Bridge…

Written for Week #237 of Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt. (Word: Mudlark, Count: 52)
Photo Credit: 1: Hootiewam Boots via Pinterest / 2. Dalton Touchberry via Unsplash
Copyright 2021 Greg Glazebrook, All Rights Reserved.

Autobiographical

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He wrote some (bad) poetry in his twenties.

Now in his fifties and seeking creative expression,

He would pick up the pen and try again…

Written for Week 304 of Sonya’s Three Line Tales challenge. Photo credit: Toa Heftiba via Unsplash.
Copyright 2021 Greg Glazebrook, All Rights Reserved.

Alternate Reality 3

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3. Convergence

The inflective and the reflective finding common ground. Pushing through the barriers Sadie had erected to shield herself from the trauma. Compelling the other to parse through every painful moment in search of resolution. Holding on to the others mirror so as not to fall.

Slowly, buried secrets begin to reveal themselves as she assembles the remnants of a fractured existence. Piecing together the broken fragments from her alternate realities, she rebuilds an identity almost lost to a single violent act.

Who she was and who she has become converging to bridge the chasm together.

Part 2: Resilience

Part 4: Collison Course

Part 3 of 5
Part 1 originally written for Week #235 of Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt. (Word: Mirror, Count: 95)
Background Photo: Pawel Czerwinski via Unsplash.
Copyright 2021 Greg Glazebrook, All Rights Reserved.

The Lost Craft

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Dale watched her grandfather rebuilding the lawnmower. Moments earlier the machine groaned as the blades crashed against the garden’s rocky edge.

“Pass the wrench.” Grandpa hollered.

Dale grabbed the tool from the kit running her hands along the time-weathered edges. She was certain her grandfather had taken this instrument into battle on many occasions.

The worn surfaces fit her grandfather’s hand perfectly. He wielded it with precision, as though it were an extension of his arm. Any hope the chores were done dashed as she supervised her Grandpa’s work. She knew the machine would be running in no time.

Written for Carrot Ranch Literary’s November 18 Flash Fiction Challenge. (Theme: Tools, Count: 99)
Photo credit: Oxa Roxa via Unsplash.
Copyright 2021 Greg Glazebrook, All Rights Reserved.