Short Stories

Friday Fictioneers — February 1 — As It Was In The Beginning

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Well, I am waaaaaaay out in left field on this week’s challenge.  It was fun getting here, but I don’t have enough words to get back.  This piece is definitely “stream of consciousness” writing.

Here’s the photo prompt that Rochelle gave us — courtesy of Claire Fuller, who created the sculpture and took the photo.

/copyright-Claire Fuller

AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING

“Well, now, let’s have a look at this piece that has you so distressed, Maryann,” said Professor Rousseau, lifting the scarf that covered his student’s newest sculpture. His gasp of pleasure was audible. Then for several minutes, he stood silent. Finally he spoke, never taking his eyes from the work.

“Tell me again what you told me on the phone.”

“I … I sculpted the man’s head yesterday. I could feel it wasn’t finished, but I couldn’t seem to do anything else with it. So I went to bed. This morning, when I went into the studio to take another look at it … the woman’s head was there as well … and his hand on her head protectively … as you can see.”

The Professor smiled. “Aaahh, yes. I can see that the words of the Original Artist still hold true: “It is not good for man to be alone.”

~~~

To join in the fun visit Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ site here:
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/

Friday Fictioneers — January 25 — A Place That Knew Him

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Well, Friday Fictioneers is rapidly becoming a habit.  There are such wonderful writers out there who take part in this challenge. It’s an honor to be able to work with them on the same material each week, and it’s a privilege to see how wide and far-reaching the creativity can be when so many talented people look at the same photograph and set their imaginations free.

Rochelle Wiseoff-Fields is the hostess of this challenge, and if you’d like to join in the fun, you can find out all about it at her site:  http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/25-january-2013/

Now on to the challenge for this week:  The photo is the work of Renee Homan Heath and is copyrighted to her.  You will find my story below the photo.

Copyright-Renee Homan Heath

A PLACE THAT KNEW HIM

This weathered boardwalk felt familiar to him. So familiar that his feet tread the boards firmly and deliberately, as if they knew exactly where he was going and what he’d find at the end.

Yes … he definitely felt he was headed for a place he knew – a place that knew him.

He stopped beneath the palm, scanning the white beach, enjoying the way the turquoise waves teasingly caressed it. Yes … familiar ….

Just a dozen more steps now … and he would remember. He knew it. All the memories he’d been futilely chasing since the accident would coalesce at this shoreline.

He would remember!

~ ~ ~

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups — Week #74 — Freezing

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Julia’s new challenge this week can be found at this link:100 WORD CHALLENGE LOGO
http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week74/

The prompt is the phrase:    “… the extreme weather meant …”

Here’s my contribution:

FREEZING

“Dr. Corbet, from the U.S. Natural Disaster Center, is at the news conference to bring us up to date on what the extreme weather meant this past week. Dr. Corbet, what’s the latest report?”

“Unfortunately, the reverse-magnetic dome forming around the earth is growing thicker and cutting off more sunlight every day. We’re getting hourly reports now from our scientists in all sectors. As of one hour ago, thermometers in New York registered 40 below zero, Fahrenheit, and thermometers at the equator registered zero.”

“So you’re saying ….”

“I’m saying the human race has about 3 weeks to live.”

~~~

Friday Fictioneers – 1/18/13 – ‘Survivors?’

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Below is my offering for this week’s ‘Friday Fictioneers’ Challenge from Rochelle. You can check out the challenge and learn how to take part at this link: http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/18-january-2013/

ROCHELLE'S PHONE PHOTO
PHOTO PROMPT — Copyright Michelle Wisoff-Field

SURVIVORS?

She was about to polish the menorah when the phone rang.

“They’re coming!  They’re two blocks east of you!  Run!  Hide!”

Cold, paralyzing terror washed through her.  She screamed for Susan.

She came, still holding her crayons.  “What, Mama?”

“We have to leave, Honey.  Right now!”  Coats, scarves, her pittance of money . . . .

“But, Mama –“

“Right now!  Don’t argue!”  Trembling violently, she dragged Susan out the door.

She’d tried to believe it wouldn’t come to them.  “Oh, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, please, please deliver us . . . .”


100 Word Challenge for Grownups –Week # 73

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

100 WORD CHALLENGE LOGOI couldn’t resist jumping in this week. Thanks to Julia for all these great challenges. They help so much with the “discipline” of writing, don’t they? This week’s prompt is  “… the notes from the piano ….” So here’s my take:

THE SILENT NOTES

Lucy couldn’t understand. One whole octave silent … dead. She’d been gone 20 years, but surely someone else played ….

Lifting the lid, she spotted the wad of papers — old — torn — wedged under the strings. Prying the papers loose, she studied them:  Letters!  Letters and notes!  And all signed by … him!

One whimper escaped.  Then a sob.  He really had written!  Father had hidden them, and when she’d gone, he’d stuffed them here.  Cruel joke!

Twenty years suffering a broken heart, and all that time ….

That’s what Father had meant when he’d whispered his dying words:  “The notes … from the piano ….”

To join in the fun, hop over to Julia’s place and check out the challenge. (You’ll also enjoy her terrific header photo. It just pulls you in and makes you want to stay awhile just looking at it.)

http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week73/

Friday Fictioneers 100-Word Challenge – ‘Love’s Song’

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

I wanted to join in with the other Friday Fictioneer participants this week, but I have to admit that my contribution is ‘illegal’ — being closer to 180 words. However, since this is the little story that kept nagging at me from the very first moment I saw the picture below, I have written it anyway and edited it down as far as possible in the time I had available.

The challenge is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. If you’d like to take part, hop over to see her at this link:

http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/

The prompt is the following picture, which comes to us courtesy of Roger Cohen at http://betarules.blogspot.com.au/

TWO BASS VIOLINS - CELLOS

LOVE’S SONG

They’d met at a rehearsal in this very theater. He, with his polished coat of dark walnut, was instantly captivated by her honey-maple coloring – but even more so by the sweet voice she gave to every note assigned her in the performances. Bravely, he’d professed his love, and she’d responded. They had made exquisite music together for 74 years.

Now, with their respective masters in their graves, the two aging instruments rested against the wall of an old closet behind the stage. His coat was battered and marred significantly. But her luster still had the power to draw music from him every time he looked at her. They sighed quietly. They still had each other – and the music that lived within them. He kissed her gently. She kissed him back. They embraced.

Outside, people slowed their stride as they passed the old theater. “There it is again,” said one. Others nodded in agreement.

“Strange,” said a young woman. “Every night, I’m just sure I hear music coming from inside, but there is never anyone there ….”

 

 

100-Word Challenge For Grown-Ups, Week 67 — What’s It Worth?

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Maybe I’m just in the mood to get into new challenges, but I really think it’s the chocolate that did it.  Anyway, I couldn’t seem to resist trying out Julia’s challenge this week.  Here’s the link to her site:

http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week69/ 

And the picture for the challenge is below — along with my “story.”

CHOCOLATE CHALLENGE PICWHAT’S IT WORTH?

One half-piece left — and crumbs. He’d lick those off first, then take time savoring the piece itself. Since enforcement of the President’s War On Obesity, the total ban on chocolate had driven him mad.

“You have chocolate!” his sister shouted, entering behind him. He moved the plate out of reach. She was already dialing her cell.

“What are you doing?”

“Reporting you to the police, of course!”

The iron skillet was handy.

He managed to strike her before she’d finished dialing.

Okay . . . He was safe.

He settled his breathing before lifting the plate and inhaling the intoxicating fragrance. “Some things,” he whispered, “are just too valuable to lose.”

Picture It and Write Challenge: ‘In the Beginning – A One-Act Play’

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

I originally posted this short one-act play a few months ago, but yesterday I came across a writing challenge connected with the picture below, and I thought the play fit the challenge perfectly.  So I’m sharing it as my response.
Here’s the link:  Picture It and Write:  http://ermiliablog.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/__picture-it-write-42/

In The Beginning: A One-Act Play

Time: Creation, Day 1
Place: Heaven, looking down at planet Earth
Cast: God and One Inquisitive Angel

Conversation:

Angel to God: “What are you doing, God?”
God: “I’m lighting my planet Earth.”
Angel: “Why does it need light?”
God: “Because I am creating a brand new species — MAN — and I want him to live there.”
Angel: “A NEW species? What are you going to do with him?”
God: “Love him.”
Angel: “What will he do for you?”
God: “Give me pleasure.”
Angel: “Will he give you pleasure that is different from what the rest of your creation gives you?”
God: “Oh, yes. He will be a speaking spirit just like me, who will be able to choose by his own free will to love me and communicate with me constantly.”
Angel: “Have you thought that he could use his free will to choose NOT to love you? He could end up giving you a lot of trouble.”
God: “Oh, yes, he will give me  A LOT of trouble. … But to me he is worth it!”