Break From Reality. Daily.
Denise gasped as she lurched into the office. Laura half rose from behind her desk. “You OK?” Denise caught herself, and bent down to remove her right pump. “Drat! My heel broke off. And it’s a new pair, too.” She put her shoe under her arm and ran a harried hand through her short brown…
by Mirel Bodner Abeles One look around the table reminded Talia Roland why she didn’t do holidays. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and assorted friends had descended on her family from near and far. They gathered round the dinner table with the express purpose—or so it seemed to Talia—of doing their utmost to make her regret being…
“After all, tomorrow is another day,” the breathless, oddly accented voice drawled. K3A hurried to straighten up her workplace. In another five minutes, the loudspeakers would repeat the message, at which time everyone’s station had to be clean and in order. Five minutes after the second announcement, all the workers would be lined up, quietly…
This story was inspired by a first line prompt and International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which this year marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. It is dedicated to remembering. Auschwitz Gate photo by Chris Brown courtesy of Creative Commons and flickr The door opened and chaos ensued. Bright lights pierced the pre-dawn darkness,…
Train Ride of the Righteous by Mirel Bodner Abeles Il Giorno della Memoria by Frederico Soffici courtesy of Flickr.com Ava trudged down the busy street burying her chin into her scarf as the icy winter air hit her. She eyed the store numbers, checking the paper clenched in her gloved fist with the address written…
A shorter version of this story was originally published on my site, www.storiesworthsharing.net Yarnell Saloon by Dennis Larson courtesy of Flickr Doli Levi got off the stagecoach and looked around, curious. The dusty, treeless street bore no resemblance to what he’d seen of the East Coast, and even less to his home in Europe. The…
Part 2 Old Woman by Ed Yourdon, courtesy of Flickr Another week, another long distance call. She’d already spoken to her sons, it was probably Emily. “Hey, Mom! How’re you doing today?” “Better. Only a three.” “That’s good. Do anything special today?” “Not really, took advantage of the fact that I was in less pain…
Part 1 Old Woman by Ed Yourdon, courtesy of Flickr The phone rang, breaking the oppressive silence. It took several rings before Phyllis managed to hobble over and reach the phone. “Hi, Mom, how are you doing?” Her daughter’s voice. Emily. She paused. “Fine.” “Mom, that ‘fine’ doesn’t sound too good. What’s hurting today?” She…
Photo by Adelie Freyja Annabel courtesy of flickr His quiet entrance alerted her to his mood, as did his avoidance of the kitchen where she sat. “Ben?” No answer. Roz sighed, and followed him upstairs into his room. His schoolbag was dumped in the corner and he already had his nose glued onto the computer…
Baker County Tourism (Oregon), picture courtesy of Flickr It had been the flock of sheep that had sniffed it out, leading the rest of the parched and dusty travelers in their wake. Bedraggled and travel worn, they had been wandering for weeks before stumbling across the river. Still, they had all waited patiently until…
Photo by Gabe, courtesy of flickr.com Bobby idly turned back from the open door for one last look around the kitchen. He shrugged off the stack of dishes piled unloved in the kitchen sink and his schoolbooks scattered haphazardly on the table. Not much chance that he would be scolded for it nowadays….
Photo by Mike Freedman, courtesy of Flickr Nickles and Dimes by Mirel Bodner Abeles “Hey beautiful, have some extra cash for a guy down on his luck?” The young blond shook her head as she shuddered and hoofed it down the block. “Mister, a buck for a coffee?” The lawyer type tossed him two bits,…
Burglary! Picture by akaitori courtesy of flicker Janice clicked away at the keyboard, her eyes glued to the papers she was transcribing. After a long while, she felt her back and stopped to stretch for a moment. Her eyes took in the screen and she groaned. Oh no! All the o’s were missing. Drat! Not…
The Destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem by Marsmattnn Tallahassee courtesy of Flickr (painting by Francesco Hayez) story by Mirel Abeles The stench of burning bodies insinuated itself amidst the smoke-filled air which invaded every corner of the city. It penetrated windows and doors and slipped through the wet cloths covering our faces, making us…
Jumping Out a Plane, Queensland, New Zealand, by Le Grand Portage Originally published on www.storiesworthsharing.net “Are you sure you want to do this?” Meg asked dubiously. Truth be told, I wasn’t sure at all, but I grinned with false bravado. “But of course,” I said in my best pseudo-French accent. I turned quickly so Meg…
(the image above “yummy ~ NOT~ here, have some ice chips ….” by patiencehouse courtesy of flickr) This short story by Mirel Abeles was originally published on storiesworthsharing.net “Water. Can I just have a glass of water?” “I’m sorry, Ann, but you’re in labor. No drinking allowed.” “What labor? Nothing’s happening!” Ann grumbled. “You’re having contractions now.”…
