Dusty May Jane

At Rainbow’s End

“Harold. Where are you going? I told you I want to get home. It’s time for Wheel of Fortune and you have to take your pill.” Mavis pinched her lips together in satisfaction when Harold pulled the car over. She thought he was going to make a u-turn and drive home as instructed. When he didn’t, irritation made Mavis’s eyes bulge. Her mouth primed for further harping. “Harold, I told you…” Harold…

I sail upon the sea, where sky and water blur. It beckons me in my weakness. I bend to its lure. With easterly winds, the sails I must tend. My heart of hearts no letter to send. Sun will set upon a western sky. I solemnly bid my heart goodbye. Days tick by without change. The light on the rock long from range I lay upon the captain’s wheel, broken. Gripping a lock of hair as token. I turn the…

An Irish Cure (Writer’s Block)

Her name was Nina. She wore a red wool beret with a little gold pin on the narrow black satin band above her flawlessly arched brow. Here hips swung gently to and froe within her black pencil skirt. The pièce de résistance was the way her white cashmere sweater filled out perfectly.  I smoked the last of my cigarette, and dropped it on the gravel, stubbing it out with the toe of my Italian…

Don’t mess with this girl before she’s had her coffee…

There’s nothing worse than finding your coffee canister empty on a Sunday morning. So I’m off to the local convenience store for some fresh beans. I hoped like heck they have my brand, un-ground. Yes, they do! Get it paid for and get back home to enjoy. Nobody slow my progress, PLEASE! Oh no…..! The masked gunman pointed his weapon at the cashier and ordered her to empty all the cash from her…

The voice, so deep, so lovely, haunts me. How could a voice of a stranger affect me this way?  I looked at the piece of mail that caused this bizarre, albeit, intriguing rendezvous, mystified by the turn my solitary life has taken. One week ago I was shopping for a new umbrella. It had been raining in Seattle non stop for what seemed like weeks. After giving in to the realization the rumors were…

To fly, one can lie! part 2

Yes, I am a sucker for the dimple. “No, No boyfriend, no husband. I’m divorced.” Tim’s sleepy eyes rested on my face and his lazy smile threatened my undoing. I try to keep it together but it had been ages since I had the attention of a handsome young man. Was I going to have to ask or will he volunteer? “Are you involved?” Good grief! He only smiled. Are you kidding me? The flight attendant…

To fly, one can lie!

Of all the luck! My damned shoe had a broken heel and there was a major run in my stocking. My Mother warned me there was no reason for flying in anything less comfortable that sweats and tennies. I was headed to a meeting upon landing with no time to check into my hotel and change. At my departure gate, I set my bag on a chair. The gentlemen already seated, looked up at me and then down. A quick…

Cat Got Your Tongue?

The elevator doors open and the rush of suits, male and female, press in. As she does every day, in strides Wanda, with her giant hair and cat eye glasses. I cringe expecting to choke on the cloud of fragrance that surrounds her. I know I won’t be able to hold my breath for the sixteen floor ride so I take my kerchief from my pocket and hold it to my face. Company policy is simply stated; As a…

The good thing is, I’m in heaven.

I saw the angry look in her eyes before it struck me that she looked very much like me. She stopped directly in front of me on the trail. I tried to move around her but she wouldn’t let me pass. “Is there something I can do for you?” I asked. Her eyes sparked and I thought I saw a fire within, deep within her soul. I was looking into her soul, my soul. I realized I was interpreting her thoughts,…

Dusty May Jane Wins Flash Fiction Challenge

Posted on

April 16, 2016

by

Administrators

Dusty May Jane is the Readers’ Choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. The winning entry is decided by the popular vote and rewarded with a special feature here today. (In the case of a tie, the writer who submitted an entry first is the winner per our rules.)

Without further ado, here’s the winning entry:

 Photo copyright K. S. Brooks. Do not use without attribution. Happy Birthday, Sweet Mr. Pish.

The Oscars Has Gone to the Dogs by Dusty May Jane

Bulbs flash and the crowds scream as my limo pulls up to the red carpeted curb.

“Mr Pish.” The fans yell my name, hoping I will throw them a glimpse, maybe a wag of my tail in their direction.

The plush carpeting is filled with everyone I have ever dreamt of meeting. And here I am, sharing the same crimson pathway.

I’m star-struck. Oh look, it’s Meryl Streep! Over there, it’s John Travolta! What a thrill it is to be amongst Hollywood’s elite.

Once inside the theatre I find my assigned seat and who should be next to me but the beautiful and talented Jennifer Lawrence. Thrill of thrills, she is actually talking to me and what’s this? She’s scratching my ear. I’m in heaven!

As awards were announced and the night grew long, my nerves grew tight. The next category was the one I’m nominated for and as I see my face on the large screen behind the presenters I nearly faint.

Here is it, it’s time. Who will it be? Leo, Brad or that other guy? No, No, Can it be?

Yes! It is, it’s me!

“And the winner is…Mr. Pish for It’s a Dog’s Life!”

Oh my, oh my, I can’t believe it! I trot up the steps and because I’m rather small, I’m lifted to the podium to show my gratitude, only, oh no, my thank you speech. Where is it?

Dusty May Jane Wins Flash Fiction Challenge

Posted on April 9, 2016 by Administrators

Dusty May Jane is the Readers’ Choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. The winning entry is decided by the popular vote and rewarded with a special feature here today. (In the case of a tie, the writer who submitted an entry first is the winner per our rules.)

Without further ado, here’s the winning entry:

 Photo copyright K. S. Brooks. Do not use without attribution.

Not in My Town by Dusty May Jane

The smell of blood was familiar to Carl Stroud. A thirst for violence and taste for young women’s blood rivaled his innermost beliefs and desires. He loved his wife and daughter and would protect them no matter the cost. He went to church every Sunday. He enjoyed coaching the little league team. Everyone respected him for serving the town as Sheriff the last three years.

He’d seen the results of a full moon in his town before. Oh how he prayed it wasn’t happening again. Arming himself with the silver-tipped bullet was necessary. He only hoped he could pull the trigger before it was too late and another victim met a terrible fate.

Now with the moon in it’s full form rising higher into the night sky, shivers crept across his skin. The hairs covering his body stood on end, lengthening, thickening.

Damn, the image he thought was a carnival worker didn’t try to run. Rather, it mimicked every move he made. Carl stood in front of the house of mirrors watching his own eyes turn amber and glow. He pulled his magnum from the holster on his hip already loaded with the only bullet that would do the job.

“Mother, wake up.”

“Mommy? Mommy can you hear me?” The small voice sounded so sad. I wondered who she was talking to. I felt bad that the child’s mother wasn’t responding. “Why won’t she wake up Daddy?” “She is resting honey. She has a bad bump on her head from the accident that makes it hard for her to wake up.” They sound so close to me, perhaps I have a roommate? I drift into a deeper sleep and awaken to a…

I Would Give My Right Arm

I push open the window and lean onto the sill. Curious. Without thinking, I reach out with my right hand and feel nothing. How unusual, I thought it was time for the sun to rise. I see only darkness, void of light out my kitchen window.  I withdraw my hand and tuck it under my arm. Brrr! It was cold. My hand begins to tingle as if it has fallen asleep. The tingling turns more prickly.  It’s…

When I turned thirty I felt old. That day was the day I pledged to run a marathon. Maybe I’d finally lose the extra pounds. Those pounds had krept up on me and I was certain that’s why Jason turned to the young, thin Ashley. Single again, I felt alone and unlovable. My self talk turned ugly and self deprecating. Just as it had those few years back. After seeing the woman’s face several days in a…

A Not So Simple Island Life

Sheila watch Donovan walk away from the hammock stretched between palm trees on the beach. He was tall, tan and lean and she missed him terribly. It didn’t take long to find him after he left the Bureau. Luckily Donovan hadn’t found the device she had implanted when stitching up the shoulder wound. Donovan was packing his belongings into a knapsack when Sheila found him in his hut. “Donovan,…