Category Archives: 5-minute reads

Six weeks (end of life)

It wasn’t her fault; Ted knew that. After all, Lilly was the love of his life. In times past, Ted had grumped at her; smothered him with love, she did. But they’d been good times. Often it seemed like seventy years marriage had passed by in a flash. Lilly; sweet innocent Lilly. She hadn’t alwaysContinue reading “Six weeks (end of life)”

The box (humor)

Everything was crackling, renewing after the bleakness of winter. Spring’s  promise can be quite invigorating, in unexpected ways. We were old back then. Who knew we would still be here twenty years later. It’s a good thing that we broke the rules. Twenty years… such a long time. When we became grandparents, about the sameContinue reading “The box (humor)”

The waiting room (Humor)

Dentist’s waiting rooms grind my nerves. No matter how sparkling the receptionist, how beaming the flowers, how enlightening the magazines, I wait with taut stomach, clenched jaw, and sweaty brow. Behind double doors, a drill bores it’s victim’s tooth. I feel the pain, hear the silent screams, and sympathize with the patients rapidly rinsing wallet.Continue reading “The waiting room (Humor)”

Wilfred (humor?)

Wilfred tip-toed along the hallway, until marital guilt forced a heel to grumble the floorboards. He shrank from the barks which would inevitably ejaculate out of his wife’s cormorant boudoir. That woman directed his life, empowered by the gold ring he’d emasculated himself with two relentless decades ago. Wilfred had weathered her ever-accelerating decline into self-inflictedContinue reading “Wilfred (humor?)”

Knuckling down. (Humor)

My finger is stuck. Properly stuck. Actually, I’m stuck. Properly stuck. In a hole. Me and my finger. Stuck. Discovered hole. Pushed finger in. Knuckle slid forward. Pulled back. Skin wrinkled over knuckle. Finger stuck. I’m stuck. Moved a picture. Discovered hole. Round hole. Peered in. Too dark. Inserted finger. Wriggled and jiggled. Finger stuck.Continue reading “Knuckling down. (Humor)”

Decisions, decisions

‘It’s in God’s hands now.’ Jayla dragged off blood-stained gloves, before rubbing her eyes. As she exited the theatre, her beeper sounded; yet another emergency. ‘Go away’ God addressed his eternal in-tray, stretching tired neck muscles. ‘Sleep; even a tiny sleep, would be good right now. Twenty-four weeks straight. This covid is beyond the pale.Continue reading “Decisions, decisions”

Details, Detective-inspector Shannon, details

Thirty years stretched before newly-retired Detective-inspector Shannon Liraz, his underlings relieved the inspectors ‘details, details’ catch-cry lay silent. The first few weeks sped by in catch-ups and bucket lists. House maintenance, bungee jumping, old friends in distant parts; his detailed list had whirlwind the days away. But the to-do’s eventually diminished, finally dribbling into aContinue reading “Details, Detective-inspector Shannon, details”

Seize the day

Brian remembered a time when greeting the day was a thing; being bounced awake by young bodies, then soothed with warm coffee and warmer kisses. Now, only silent bedroom walls watched  as he rose from rumpled sheets which gave little sign he’d not slept alone. At breakfast, he obediently chewed his way through fruit-flavoured cardboard,Continue reading “Seize the day”

Mrs Collin’s storm (references murder, abuse)

Mrs Collins? – Yes. (Pull the shawl closer, don’t let this copper see.) I’m sorry for your loss. – Thank you (Which loss? My dignity, my freedom, my life?) My apologies but there’s just a couple of questions. – Of course. When did you find your husband? – When I opened the lounge curtain, IContinue reading “Mrs Collin’s storm (references murder, abuse)”