I Took the Fall, a repost from my archives. #flashfiction

“I Took the Fall,” by Pamela Schloesser Canepa, (c) 2017.   I hereby declared Tuesdays to be Short Tales Tuesday, wherein I will post a new or a past short story or flash fiction I have written. Enjoy!

I headed back to the yard with my garden hoe.  I hate killing living things, but this bugger looked poisonous.  He was further back in the brush.

“Sure, you keep your distance now.”  I sat on the ground, sweating.

“You would too, Missssssssss.” His tongue darted out.

I jumped.  “What?”

“Yesssss.  It’ssss me.  Come on, I am alwaysss judged by my outer cover, my ssscales sssso to sssspeak.  It’sss not fair.  All because of Hisssstory, mythology, the Bible, whatever.”

“I’m sorry.”  I looked at him through new eyes.  It had to be a he, though who could tell?

“Yessss.  Imagine what it’sss like.   Way back when, Armadillo sslipped up.  You know he’s a good candidate to stand for evil.  But no, I defended him.  I took the fall for him.”

He actually looked sad.

It seemed he’d started to trust me.  He’d slithered out from the bush.  The garden hoe was resting next to me, forgotten.

Suddenly, he sprang at me, and I was overcome, knocked down.

“S-ssssucker!”

I took the fall.

~The end~

(c) Pamela Schloesser Canepa. A re-post I originally posted in 2017 as a response to the Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers blog challenge.

 

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Isolate, #RDP #flashfiction

(c)2020 by Pamela Schloesser Canepa

It’s easy in times like this

not to trust,

to let fear take over.  

You think, if you isolate, what you fear can’t win.  That, if you isolate, you are starving the fear, shutting off from what you fear.

Let  me tell you about this little monster.  It grows in cold, dark, lonely places void of light, within people who fear the warmth, who assume the worst of others.  It grows; it takes over the very person trying to starve it.  For, one who assumes the worst, needs to give oneself a chance to be proven wrong.  If you are never proven wrong, then why would you change your beliefs?

Isolating is great, when it occurs to get things done, to get down to business and feed your own thoughts.  When one isolates to avoid, that monster grows ever stronger and IT feeds off your own thoughts.  I know.  You see it growing all over me, don’t you?

Two young men had stopped but walked off as the old women opened her coat and removed it to reveal her arms covered in dirt and a green growth all over her arms.  She had lost her audience; they were disgusted and maybe even afraid.  

A little child peeked out at her from behind his mother’s leg where he’d been hiding.

I see you!  Don’t be afraid!  Don’t let it take over you, don’t do what I did.  You still have time!  Be brave, little one!

He didn’t turn away; he knew she was not the monster but simply had been overcome. Still, he stayed close to his mother.

Quickly, his mother whisked him away, and the old woman smiled, once again putting on her coat.  Her audience was gone, but she had reached one impressionable soul, and this was good.  For, she knew paranoia would again sweep the land, and likely very soon.

(Written in response to the Ragtag Daily Prompt word: Isolate.  Quite timely, yeah?  Visit them at https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/03/13/rdp-friday-isolate/ )

 

 

There was a Frost on the Ground. #fiction #FOWC

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Why is my life such complete, utter crap?  Jackie pondered.

Santa would be coming soon for many boys and girls in the neighborhood.  Santa did not like coming to Jackie’s house when she was younger, because all that was left for him was an empty bottle of bourbon and cookie crumbs.  She had tried to tell her teacher that in second grade, much to her later regret.  A stay at Aunt Charlene’s house for two weeks was the result.  Even Charlene tired of that situation.

Dad lay on the floor by the couch, already passed out.  Mom was out with her new boyfriend.  How Mom and Dad could be separated and still under the same roof was beyond seventeen-year-old Jackie.  She wasn’t sure when Mom would be home.

Would he wake up and vomit? Jackie wondered.  Will Mom be home when he does?    Footsteps and cheerful voices approached outside the door.

“Hallo!”  Jackie’s mom walked in with a man in tow.  “I thought you should meet Tex. Oh,” she stopped short, as if surprised Jackie’s dad was on the floor.  He obviously had started early, which was not unusual.

Please, don’t wake up Dad, Jackie thought.  “You all should leave.  I mean, it’s nice to meet you and all, um, Tex.  But I don’t want him to wake up.”

“Nonsense.  This is my house too,”  Mom claimed.   With that, she sat down on the couch, and Tex on the chair closest by.

“Okay.  Suit yourselves.  Merry Christmas.”  Jackie headed for the door, grabbing her coat.

“Play cards with us?”  Tex called.

Jackie shook her head.  “I’m headed for Marissa’s house.”

Outside, there was a frost on the ground.  The first frost always held hope for Jackie.  Weather change meant to her that other things would change too.  She felt in her pocket for a twenty dollar bill and her toothbrush.  Tonight, at Marissa’s house.  And one day, she would leave for good.  I create my own reality, she chanted mentally, feet crunching on the frosty grass as she made her way.

*Posted for Fandango One Word Challenge, found at  https://fivedotoh.com/2019/12/25/fowc-with-fandango-frost/    12/25.

 

Jumble. #RDP

Her closet was chaos spilling forward.

I opened the door and it was like a jack-in-the-box junped out at me.

“You don’t understand, ” she said. “We’ve all got something. These things mean so much to me.

Only, when she’d look for a particular pair, she could only find one shoe or couldn’t find the pair at all. I refused to help.

When she was jailed, two years later, a year after I got fed up and left, it was based on evidence found at the bottom of that closet. No wonder she’d kept it a jumble for so long.

Did she forget what she had buried under that heap?

She hid those skeletons well, just for a while.

Visit http://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com and learn more about the Ragtag Daily Prompt. View some more entries or even join the fun!

Break the Endless Loop. #amwriting #fridayfictioneers

PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

“Break the Endless Loop.” (c) 2019, Pamela Schloesser Canepa

 

When you’re under forty, you buy.

But after buying more, you need more

And this sickly need has you caught.

 

They market what you don’t need

You’re not hungry but still feed;

Health suffers from this excess.

 

Love won’t come in a dish.

Physical things can’t fill your wish.

It’s time to reject the fraud.

 

Now a herd of doctors, doing their best

Prescriptions, check-ups, many tests.

(It could have been avoided, just confess).

 

Unless you can make a drastic change.

Be a new person, change your ways.

Love people, not habits, or tangible things.

Yes, such an unrealistic dream….

 

***A 100 word poem that tells a frightening story.  This response is based on the photo prompt given weekly for Friday Fictioneers’ challenge at https://rochellewisoff.com/

 

 

 

“Take a Hike.” #RDP #amwriting

(c) Pamela Schloesser Canepa

John had been through this before.  No one understood how he processed things.  This was his third foster home in a row.

His foster dad, Mr. Biggins, spoke in a strange way., but John really wanted to know the workings of this new household and had a lot of questions.

Mrs. Biggins had shown John to his room.  There were two smaller children in the home, but John got his own room.  Mrs. Biggins was busy cooking dinner one day when John asked why there wasn’t much toilet paper.

“Oh, we try not to use too much paper.  It’s Mr. Biggins’ rules, you know.”

John went to ask Mr. Biggins, because sometimes he needed a lot more than what was rationed to him each morning.

“Take a hike,” Mr. Biggins said.

“But, but, that doesn’t answer my question.  Sir,” John added politely.

“Learn to use less.  Conserve.  Now, I’ve answered you.  Go take a hike.”

So, being a person who tried to do just as he was told, John did.

John suffered for a year in that home, with people who did not understand his needs.  Finally, he was adopted by a loving family.  The Servos lived in the big city.  John looked down at his hiking books.  No woods to explore as he used to do for hours when living with the Biggins, where no one cared that he was gone for hours as long as he was back before dinner.  He disliked Mr. Biggins moodiness, but just kept to himself most of the time so as not to disturb the man.  Hiking had been his solace, and summers had provided a lot of education in nature.

“Would you mind if I take a hike?” John asked Mr. Servo, longing for some movement and fresh air.

“Well, that’s an interesting thought,” Mr. Servo replied.  “There’s this place a couple blocks away with excellent gyros.  And the doc said walking would good for my heart. Come on!  We can talk on the way.”

John smiled.  He wasn’t sure he wanted to talk much, but Mr. Servo had a friendly, loving aura about him.  It might be nice for once not to have to walk alone.

***The Ragtag Daily Prompt is given daily in the form of one word.  Writers take it from there.  This story was just short of 300 words.  I hope you have enjoyed it!  See other responses or learn about this challenge at https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2019/07/12/rdp-friday-hike/

 

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Brinesians Go to Camp. #amwriting #RDP

(c) 2019, by Pamela Schloesser Canepa

How would you know if you’ve met a Brinesian?  Very few people know what Brinesians are, but I know, and I am willing to share.  Take our English word, “brine.” It means  something related to the sea.  Therefore, I’ve named this species living under the sea “Brinesian.”  This life form has intelligence to match or surpass humans.

What do you mean, where did I get that word?  I myself have created that word to describe this species.

Brinesians are a deep sea species, so we’ve rarely seen them.  However, plastic pollution is killing much of their way of life and survival. They are able to take on a human form.  Still, you want to be aware when you’ve come across one.  They are very curious about us and might want to take some of us back home.  After all, they may have to adapt to be able to live like us, out of the water.  I have a suspicion that they come to camp out for a time in the air and go back when they need the seawater again.  Maybe they can take more air in time.  Right now, with humans relaxed and vacationing, is a great time for them to camp out here.

Should we be concerned?  Yes. Have you even been listening?

Why are they green?  Well, I’ve only seen one, but I surmise that they are green based on their surroundings, but they’re only green when they are out here, on land.  After all, seeweed is green.  Don’t be fooled into believing it is a sickly human.  That’s what they want.  We will see them more and more.  I tell you, they are camping out as we speak, taking in our way of life.

**Transcript of Dr. Vincent Millispen’s last speech to the delegation on Science and Evolution before being forced to resign.

*Check out other responses to the word of the day (camp) at https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/

 

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Friday Fictioneers. Observations at the Theater. #amwriting

PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz

All writing © Pamela Schloesser Canepa

“You know, if aliens were studying us, they could learn a lot about us from our viewing habits,” Roma claimed.

Billy shrugged. “You’ve got some weird ideas. I’m just excited for the tenth installment of ‘Halloween!’

Roma stopped at the snack counter. “Let me get some popcorn to calm my nerves.”

Minutes later, they were claiming their seats. Roma cringed during every tension-filled moment. The audience screamed; Billy just laughed.

That is, until Billy noticed the strange man on the left of the theater staring at him. Every time he turned, the man stared. Billy cringed…Someone was watching.

-99 to 100 words in response to the photo prompt given for the Friday Fictioneers Challenge at http://rochellewisoff.com 

“The Sibling.” #RDP #amwriting

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Photo by Marina Hinic on Pexels.com

(c) 2019

“Eggbert, we have one; we don’t need another!”

“Don’t you see, Lou, we can learn so much by having two.”  He looked down to the scene below.

“But, but they’re not the same.  Well, not entirely.  We could be gone by now, your obsession is going to get us caught! ”

“You didn’t study them as I did.  Why have one without the other?  We could find out so much more.  I’m not talking about resell or trade value.  I want to see how they grow together, I want to know what they would do for each other.”  Eggbert would not take his hand off of the console.  They must land to capture the other, and they must do it now.

“You’re right, Eggbert.  I don’t understand; I’ll never understand your fascination with them.”

Eggbert smiled, the lines in his face almost cracking, and guided their craft to land in pursuit of the second human, who was, as Lou would never understand, a sibling to the first capture locked in their storeroom.  To leave one and not take the other could possibly break one of them, and that would not do.

***Learn about the RagTag Prompt or get the details to share your own at https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2019/06/19/rdp-wednesday-sibling/

Caring for Your Psyche. #amwriting #fiction

 

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By Pamela Schloesser Canepa, (c) 2019

“We are all given a psyche.  You must think of your psyche as its own living thing.”

This was an interesting class Cassie dragged me into after my divorce.  The instructor was a little wacky, though.  Lots of college kids were there.  Were they getting college cred?  I sure wasn’t.  Continuing education?  Hmm.  Some blond, New Age hippie named Ashbury sat to my right.  Much to my relief, he smelled of Irish Spring.

The instructor continued: “Imagine your psyche as a living being…and draw it.  Then, label it.  Your last instruction, is to start nurturing it.”

I started with paws, and a belly, then decided to step out for cigarette before finishing.  I was sick of always doing what I was supposed to; it got me nowhere in my marriage except mismatched with a narcissist.  Plus, I had no idea how to picture my psyche.  Some air might help.

Ashbury smiled at me. “Are you stuck?”

“Yeah.  Shhh, don’t tell anyone.  I might be the failing student here.”

A smile spread across his face.  “You can’t fail if you took the first step.” He pointed to the half-hearted drawing on my paper.  “What will the rest be?  I wonder.”  He tapped his pencil to his forehead lightly.

“Right now, I wouldn’t care if you drew something on there.  Something radical, horrible, I don’t know.  I’ll be right back.”

Ten minutes later I came in , apologizing to the instructor about a stomach issue.  Sitting down, I saw a baby dragon staring up at me…and Ashbury smiling at me. There was a lovely orchid on his paper.  I chuckled.

“Mine looks like ‘Puffin’ McStuffins’!  Well-done, Ashbury!”  This man had sized me up and done my homework for me.  Could I nurture Puffin in all of his adorable imperfection?  You bet!

“So now you have a name, too.  I think you’ll pass.  How do you think we could nurture an orchid and a baby dragon together?” he asked, one eyebrow raised.

“Passion-fruit tea?”  I said through a smile.

“Yes, let’s go!”

He walked out first with his drawing, and I followed moments later.  The instructor just looked up at us, defeated.  Or maybe he knew I was beginning the process of nurturing my psyche?

*Posted in response to the prompt at https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2019/06/06/rdp-thursday-nurture/

I hope you enjoyed my story. I’d love to hear your comments or your experiences with this topic!