Relations (4 Parts in 4 Short Stories)

Relations Part 1: Alone

Francesca dialed her boyfriend. “This is Chuck…” straight to voicemail. Where was he at this hour? Lonely and restless, Francesca stared up into the dark. She picked up the phone and made another call. He picked up, answering in a hushed tone. “Ned, it’s me,” she purred, “can I come over?”

Relations Part 2: Bored

Ned and Nancy sat in silence. He had loved her once, but now only stayed with her for the apartment. His phone vibrated. Upon spotting Francesca’s name, Ned couldn’t resist; He rushed off to answer it. “I probably have to go,” called over his shoulder to Nancy, “problems at work.”

Relations Part 3: Lazy

Francesca dialed her boyfriend. His phone vibrated across the nightstand and tumbled to the floor. Chuck popped up in bed, spotted Francesca’s glowing name and smiled. He decided to let her sleep and call her back tomorrow. Chuck tucked the phone behind the engagement ring box on the bedside table.

Relations Part 4: Shy

Ned and Nancy sat in silence. Nancy was still reeling from the call she had received earlier. How could this happen to her? She looked over at her boyfriend and prepared to break the news about the chlamydia, when his phone vibrated and he rushed off to answer it.

Mall Santa

As I took my seat upon his lap, it quickly became the greatest day of my life. I waited for the question I already knew he’d ask. I’d rehearsed my answer for weeks. “HO HO HO,” he boomed. This was it. “Alright kid, look at the camera, and say cheese.”

Tears

As she wiped her eyes, matters only became worse. Her eyes burned as they flooded with tears. She sniffled and looked down. It was getting late. She would have to hurry. She wiped her eyes once more with her sleeve. She picked up the knife and reached for another onion.

Get off

He heard his boss coming from down the hall. Did he have enough time to finish? Sweat poured down his back as her heels neared his cubicle. His hands moved faster and faster. She couldn't catch him doing this, he'd be fired for sure. He had to get off! "Stop Facebooking, Carl!" Busted.

Pillow

She loved the way his breath felt on the back of her neck. The way his fingers would graze the small of her back just before he would wake her. How his head fit her pillow perfectly. She wished she'd told him. Now she only whispers to the empty spot on her pillow.

fit for the job

When he stepped outside he told himself that he wouldn't be cold. He wasn’t, so he smirked. As he got older, he knew that in order to control his physical, he had to control his mental. He was an excellent lawyer. He never let anyone tap into his psyche. He never showed emotion.

their own relationship

They loved each other more than the world. But, when they were together they said little. Arguments had the potential to erupt instantaneously. They knew each other too well and it hurt too much to fight. They learned each other’s nuances and tendencies. They knew more about one another than themselves.

a glimpse of light

Where he lived now, the sun always shined and the people always smiled. Home, the clouds ruled the sky, the light of day had little willingness to survive. But, when the sun came out, people stopped and took notice. They appreciated what they had, because it would be gone in a flash.

family business

The obligations he had to the people in his life dampened his eagerness to return home. He wanted everything to be the same. But, his friends and family missed him. Their questions would pile upon him and he would answer shortly. His mannerisms would annoy them, but their repetitiveness warranted it.

buzz kill

Although his relaxed state was euphoric, complete anxiousness had not left him yet. The possible buzz kill of company and conversation still loomed. He opened the door and checked down the corridor, there was no one. It was eerie. The walls were painted the color of vomit. The atmosphere was ideal.

pleasure pulse

Pleasure pulsed through his veins and relaxed him as he found an empty compartment on the train to St. Louis. The natural high he experienced when he got his way was comparable to the adrenaline rush of a game winning three pointer. Fucked up. But, he fit the job description like a glove.

perfect machine

The contents of the briefcase didn’t matter to him. That was why he transported them. The secrets he held physically, failed to muster the slightest of temptations mentally. He cared none for secrets. Gossip was the antonym of his being. He was the perfect machine.

Lost

Where could they be? It didn’t help that she could barely see without them. She had torn through the apartment like a tornado, and still they were nowhere to be found. She was about to lose it. “Just stop and think.” She scratched her head, and felt the wire frames.

Burning sensation

Never had something so insignificant made her lose it so quickly. She couldn't believe how hard this was hitting her. There was no controlling the tears, they just came pouring out and streamed down her cheeks. She closed her eyes but they only burned more. Wasabi was a bad idea.

Level Orange

Jacques sprints to security. There was traffic on the way to the airport and his flight leaves in five minutes. Luckily, the airport line is short. He’s almost there. “Will you come with me, sir?” the TSA agent raises his eyebrows at him, “you’ve been randomly selected for a screening.”

Season's Greetings

The air is cold. I take a sip from my latte and listen to the carols playing in the background. It’s that time of year, and I finally feel like I’m home again…until I walk out of the air conditioned Starbucks and back into the blazing heat. Tis’ the season.

she gave up on him

When he awoke his phone had no messages, missed calls or e-mail alerts. To the average person a relief was warranted. But, for him, anxiety took form. Maybe she hadn’t awoken, he thought. Maybe she was preoccupied. Deep down he knew the reason. She was bored of him. He was terribly boring.

winter

The cool breeze hit his face, the snow dandruffed his hair. Everyone around him complained, but he stayed silent. The winter season made people uneasy, they yearned for the season to change. He was in his element. It was the only time when he felt like everyone else.

blinding delight

Around five o’clock he started to think of the night ahead. He didn’t fiend for love or the nightlife, but rather the freedom of uninterrupted thought and a cold beer. A deep sleep and a subtle morning awakening is all he ever asked for. As a blind man, it seemed just about right.

the middle of somewhere

He bought the house. It lay on the side of Middleberry mountain, the nearest neighbor a thirteen mile hike. His family didn’t understand, they asked if everything was alright. He never fully answered. Growing up in the city had depressed him. He was a thinker. Here, his thoughts echoed.

Hope you kept the receipt

She twirled the ring on her finger, thinking about his question. She loved the way it looked, but why didn’t she love the way it felt? It was all sparkly and delicate, but there was a gap between who she was and who this promise made her. “No, I’m sorry.”

The Reunion Tour

Danny stood on the lawn, peeking over the crowd. After countless extra shifts at Taco Hut and a weekend in line, he was finally here. He cheered as the lights dimmed. A spotlight followed a man to the microphone. “Due to a recent break-up, the tour has been postponed indefinitely.”

Make it stop

She stared at herself in the mirror for a long time. The pain was almost too much for her to bear. She knew what she had to do. She put the pills in her mouth and swallowed. She’d have to wait for them to take effect. Hangovers are the worst.

Heaven

As he made a fist and wrapped his arm, his veins popped through his skin. He slipped the needle in, and pushed the back of the syringe. He melted into his chair, rolled his eyes, and vomited in his mouth. It felt so good. He never wanted it to change.

Motherhood

“You’re the worst!” Vanessa screeched at her mother, “I wish you aborted me.” Joan did not know what took over her as she slapped her daughter, who paused in shock before running to her bedroom. “What are you doing?” Joan called after her. “Packing,” Vanessa screamed, “I’m moving to dad’s.”

You know the feeling

One. It always feels like you’re getting punched in the mouth, no matter how many times you do it. Two. The pain of the first one is completely gone. That ethereal feeling takes over and you feel like flying. Three. You’ve already lost count. Floor. Gotta love Cinco de Mayo.

Living Alone

John inhaled his breakfast. A bite of eggs plugged his throat. He tried to dig it out with his finger, but to no avail. His heart pounded, his vision became spotty. He threw himself across the kitchen counter. A eggs flew across the room as John took a deep breath.

Partners in Crime

"You're doing it wrong." He hated it when his brother criticized his work. This was supposed to be a family business, but it was impossible to get anything done with him breathing down his neck all the time. “I’ll have it open in a second. Just go listen for sirens.”

Bliss?

Why should I care? Clearly no one else does. People ignore reality and fight like hell to keep that shade pulled tight over their eyes. What’s so great about being in the dark anyway? You go through life bumping into things as opposed to coming across them. Lift the shade.

Last Chance

He walked down to the beach to collect his thoughts. He was never very good at it though. He sat in the sand, his feet buried. The moon reflected off the water and gave subtle definition to the vast ocean. His mind was made, he would give her one last chance.

Ignoring Emotion

He called. The phone vibrated on the table, moving slightly around back and forth like a windup doll. He didn’t answer, he didn’t feel like talking. The phone rang again and it did its dance routine on the table one more. A voicemail appeared, he began to feel sick.

Entertainment Value

The TV hadn’t been turned on in over a month. The longer it sat dormant in the corner of the room, collecting dust and filling up space, the less he yearned to turn it on. Without it, he was content, his life was good enough. He saw no reason to rekindle the flame.

Nocturnal

The late hours of night were his favorite. His creativity flourished while the light outside did not. He woke up late, his peers saw it as unhealthy and lazy. He saw it as his own unique schedule, just as an owl sees its own. He was just fine.

Dad

It was our first Halloween by ourselves, so naturally we were cautious of the large figure in black approaching us and we crossed the street. He crossed the street towards us. We ran the other way, screaming. When we got home, the our monster opened the door, “You kids okay?”

Shoot.

She shoots, she scores! A moment later, she crumples another piece of paper. A shot, a miss. Her pen returns to the pad. It glides across the page with seemingly little effort. Back and forth, left to right. Rip. Crumple. A three pointer into the wastebasket. Nothing is good enough.

The morning of the bake sale

She looked up from her book and sniffed the air. How could she forget? She bolted down the stairs and stormed through the kitchen. Smoke billowed out of the oven as she yanked the door open. With an oven-mitted hand, she grabbed the brownies and inspected them. They were ruined.

Killer

There was barely even a fight. In a moment it was over. He dragged the lifeless body into the brush, leaving nothing but a bloodied trail behind. The others slowly gathered. Hungry and aroused by the smell of blood he tore into its flesh. Sometimes I hate the Discovery Channel.

Sunday Morning

There isn't a single thing I would change. Your lips, the way you breathe, how your tongue sticks out when you concentrate. Your presence is intoxicating - my favorite high. I will share a pillow with you for the rest of my life. Just close your eyes, I'm not going anywhere.

bureaucracy.

I found a dog in my building. I went to security, who sent me to management, who sent me to leasing, who told me to keep it because the woman who handled dogs was off today. I refused. They gave me the number for animal control. I’ll call him Fluffy.

My New Macbook Pro

I could not catch my computer before it hit the ground. I picked it up, holding my breath. I opened the laptop and slid my mouse across the track pad. An arrow glided across my document on the screen. I exhaled. Little did I know, my computer was totally broken.

Happy Anniversary

One day, you decided you couldn’t take it anymore. So you packed you belongings, kissed the kids goodbye, and bought a one-way ticket across the country. You built a new life as the one you left behind faded from your memory. I hope you’re happy with your new wife.

42nd and Park

Flashes of yellow rush by. There’s a smell of hot pretzels and candied nuts on every corner. A mob leaving the terminals filters through all doors leading out onto 42^nd Street. Everyone’s headed somewhere to see someone. This city has something in store for each of them. I miss New York.

malicious intent

With his head down he continued to walk. His passerby's eyed him down with malicious intent. Every once in awhile he rose his head and made eye contact. He did not smirk or show emotion, rather he showed nothing. This meant he had nothing to lose, even though he did.

Gentlemen

“Want to repeat that to my face, motherfucker?” Powered by adrenaline and whiskey, Ted lunged at the man in the blue hat. His fist flew through the air over his opponent’s shoulder. A knee pounded into Ted’s stomach and knocked the wind out of him. He crumpled to the asphalt.

jaded

Reach through my chest and hold my heart. Tell me how it feels in your hand - I’ve forgotten what it sounds like. My body is numb from my mind’s abuse and there’s no turning back. Year after year of skipping beats and broken loves have finally taken their toll.

idle time

No matter how busy one can be, one will always have time to think. So, he did what he loved. His job consumed everyday of his life, but there was always time to ponder when he went to sleep. He liked it this way, it was the right amount of thought.

Morning Breath

He felt her warm breath on his neck. He didn’t mind waking up to her kisses too much even though her breath left something to be desired. He sat up and stroked her back. She looked up at him expectantly. “Are you hungry girl?” God, did he love that dog.

Celebration

Tonight, I called my friend in San Francisco to wish him a happy birthday. “What?” he yelled over the jubilant chaos in the background. I was homesick and jealous. Then I noticed the Miami sunset from my balcony. “Oh well,” I thought, “Next time the Giants win the World Series...”

Monday at midnight

I can feel the banging against the inside of my skull. It’s incessant, torturous and never ending. All I want is to drive my forehead against a wall and feel it all fall out of my head. Suddenly it stops, and my hand begins to move. I hate writer’s block.

worry reliever

The week began and so did its priorities. One after the next they weighed upon his head. An invisible spreadsheet of tasks panned through his mind. He worried and worried till worry was all he thought. He dug his hand into his pocket, took a pill, and worried no more.

One Line

A million thoughts raced through her head as she sat awaiting the result. How had she allowed this to happen? Time. She picked it up and studied it for several seconds. One line. She let out a long sigh of relief and put the test back down on the sink.

Turbulence

I made my way down the narrow aisle. I stepped inside, shutting the door behind me. I pulled down my pants and sat. All of a sudden, there was a violent jolt. I heard the chirp of the ‘fasten seatbelts’ light turning on. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain…”

Creativity

He got the job as creative director. All his schooling had finally paid off. It was never a dream for him, but it was a job that let him create. He was quoted in the company newsletter, “I never set out to be anything in particular, only to live creatively.”

Shrimp Bisque

He walked up behind her and put his arms around her waist. He gave her a squeeze as hard as he could. He did it again...and again. Everyone in the restaurant turned to look. One more thrust...the piece of shrimp shot across the room and into my soup.

Busted

[Matt and Ted split a blunt on the balcony when a woman a couple floors up spotted them. “Hey you!” she called as the boys turned away, “Don’t make me come down there!” The boys looked up. She was gone. They ran to lock the door and turn off lights.

forever young

As he watched her dance across the floor in her dress, he imagined her as a little girl. “Twirl me,” she giggled in that innocent little voice. He held his tears and choked back a noise in his throat. He stood and twirled his little girl on her wedding day.

Run-in

It was their first time inside a strip club, despite what they told their friends. “This is gonna be awesome,” Steve said, as two voluptuous cheeks caught his undivided attention. He sat in awe. The dancer turned around. He took one look at her face before horror struck...“Mrs. Newman?!”

Tesis Premonition

I am in the middle of the assigned movie Tesis. I have a premonition that the murderer is the new professor, the one who took the place of the one who died watching the murder tape. Hopefully ill still be alive for class on Thursday, I could be next....

Good Faith

Elijah took a drag and blew smoke from under his Yankees hat. “I almost hooked up with this Muslim chick,” he told his bro, “but her friend showed up, like, G-d cockblocked me.” He leaned back and stroked his chinstrap. “It’s for the best. She was hot though, dude.”

I Never Knew

You can’t always be happy, she knew that. No one was thrilled with life one hundred percent of the time. But she was always sad, and she knew that wasn’t right either. As she debated which method to end her misery with, her sister walked in with ice cream. Nevermind.

He Spoke

Jeff never talked much. He got along with everybody, but he never voiced an opinion. They thought he was shy. One day a boy came to school with a gun. He cried as he threatened the students. Jeff rose and the told the boy to put his gun down. He listened.

Smile

We were finally speaking face to face. It had only taken an entire semester. He kept goggling at my smile. I had him in the palm of my hand. I couldn’t wait to tell the girls. Just then he leaned in and said, “You got some shit in your teeth.”

Coincidence

Dr. Reynolds ducked behind a lunch menu and sipped his martini. “Shit,” he whispered to Dr. Schwartzmann, “Small world… There’s my wife, having lunch with my mistress.” Dr. Schwartzmann spotted the women; He knew them both. He ducked behind a menu and sipped his martini. “Shit, small world…” he whispered.

Release

As he lay in bed next to her, he felt the feeling growing in the pit of his stomach. No, could this really be happening? He’d been completely flawless until this moment, but he couldn’t hold it in any longer. He let it rip, and he felt so much better.

Monday...

I'm very very very bad telling jokes, but a comical story is not considered a joke or is it?... Let's leave the romantic settings and let's at least have a quasi laugh now, shall we?

Lillies

“I remember the first time I gave you lilies,” he began, “I’ve never seen a person get so excited over a flower. The way your face lit up...that’s when I first knew.” A tear rolled down his cheek. He bent over and laid the flowers gently on the grass.

Girlfriend

Miami beach living had him feeling kind of funny. Always loved the winter, now it was always sunny. Seasons made him appreciate; now he would inebriate just to sleep at night. Then he met a girl, the weather became only a setting, the seasons only a heading. She gave feeling.

Revamped

In college he was the life of the party. Now, a new face in a new place. His attitude was jaded, in a place he was cliche and outdated. But, he stayed the same and renovated, nows he's back and integrated. Man he’s the coolest, keeping it real, nicknamed buddhist.

Las Vegas

Sarah waited on the front stoop. He isn’t coming, she imagined, I was crazy to think he meant it. She picked up her white dress and turned to leave when a taxi pulled up. Tom emerged from the backseat with a ring and tickets in his hands. He grinned: “Ready?”

Perfect

As he sat in the car, he cursed himself for not kissing her. She was everything he ever wanted. He drove to the end of the block, stopped and jumped out. He ran back up her driveway, picked her up and kissed her with more passion than he ever knew he had.

Romance

“I guess this is good night,” he stepped towards her on the front stoop and leaned in close to her. Her heart pounded. She felt her insides expanding. As he inched closer, a bubble rose from her chest to her throat. She opened her lips and burped in his face.

Dad

As he held her in his arms, he couldn’t help but be overwhelmed. He looked at his wife and felt emotion building up in his chest. He couldn’t hold it in any longer. His baby girl reached up and grabbed his finger. The tears came streaming down his cheek.

Park

She remembers the first time she got lost in the blue oasis of his eyes. They met in the park on a beautiful day. Today they were back in the same spot. As she looked up into his eyes once again, he looked back into hers and said, “I do.”

Thursday... little Friday.

Today we change the game and our stories should make us SIGHT at the end. LOVE stories that is... c'mon, I know you have at least a little heart hidden somewhere...

Melt

There they sat. She couldn’t understand it. His mood shifted so fast. One moment had been filled with fiery passion. In the next, the heat had melted into a cold sweat down his brow. “What’s wrong,” she asked. He looked up at her with panic in his eyes. “It broke.”

love

She woke up with her hand on his bare chest. The sun was rising. She rolled out of bed to and crept around, gathering her belongings. When she picked up her purse, she knocked over his pants, spilling the contents of his pockets. That’s when she found his wedding ring.

Fire

I picked up the gun. It felt cold against my palm. It was heavier than I thought it would be but I liked the weight of it in my hand. I took careful aim and fired. Water splashed all over his back and he let out a capitulated laugh. Perfect shot.

Double Downer

Her ideas were mundane and made little sense. He hated working with a partner and groups in general. He left her behind and did his own work, he was sure to succeed he thought. When the winner of the contest was announced, she had won, and so had his idea.

Wednesday...

half week, half way... still many things to share.

White

The bankers hovered around the lines on the table. John licked his lips at the sight of the powder, but turned away. He would not do it. He was done with that shit. His boss offered him the rolled hundred. “One last time won’t hurt,” he told himself yet again.

Elastic Truth

He proclaimed it was his first cigarette of the day to his friends. The comment subdued his caring peers. It was 5pm, so they assumed he had been nicotine clean till now, admirable for his standards. He had only gotten up two hours prior. He was always stretching the truth.

Inkling

She had an inkling something was wrong the second she walked in. The hairs on her body stood up and her muscles tensed as she rounded the corner. With painfully slow precision she flipped the switch. “Surprise!” they shouted. She took her house key from her sister the next day.

TUESDAY, ruby ruby ruby ruby...

Once I thought of adding a tittle and I forgot... today I remembered again so I'm giving it a try... Each day an opening title I must add and then your stories can come to live... making it easier to read and see if anyone has been a slack "-)

Accident

It'd been an accident. Now this is the worst pain she’s felt in her life. From her hospital bed, she wonders when it will all be over. Her husband watches with a single tear in his eye, as nine months later, their accident becomes the greatest joy of their lives.

Jack Be Nimble

“Hold the elevator!” Jack dodges in and presses twelve. He taps his foot, turning redder the higher he gets. When he reaches his floor, he sprints down the hall. “So close,” he exhales at his door. He struggles with his keys. It is too late. Warm urine fills his shoes.

Aim, Fire

He saw his enemy in the distance. He began to move in on him, gun drawn. It was now or never. He dashed across the street and behind a car. He’d been seen. He leaned out, aimed, and pulled the trigger, nailing his target with a mighty stream of water.

Money

Wished he had a beamer, wished he a benz, miami beach living got him feigning benjamins. Started from the bottom, ended on top, money was his motive, tick to his clock. Girlfriend left him quick, family never called, the morale of the story is the money took it at all.

Say it back

I'd never said I love you before. It was an uncontrollable reflex, like breathing or flinching. I waited as the seconds ticked by like hours, each passing moment like a nail in my heart’s coffin. He closed his eyes and looked down, then back at me. I love you, too.

Home

I pulled into the driveway to see the front door wide open. I cautiously approached the house, umbrella raised, ready to strike. I walked inside to see a man standing in my living room, his back toward me. As I turned to make my escape, I heard my uncle’s voice.

Laugh

Nick told a terrible joke. No one laughed. The room was painfully silent. He could feel everyone's judging eyes boring holes into him. Then he heard it. Nack laughed from the corner of the room. It was his favorite sound in the whole world, hearing her laugh. He loved it.

I went to the convenience store to buy Pepsi. When I got there, I looked everywhere but I could only find Coke. “We’re out of Pepsi,” said the manager as he sipped out of the last blue can. So I bought him a Coke and took his warm, half-drank Pepsi.

Friday, I'm in love... and I'm in the need for some 50 words...

It's on...