“An Awkward Meeting”
A white mouse with a dirty short pink tail was given to me by my Mom one Spring day for Easter. I was told to give him a name, feed him, make sure he had plenty of water and most importantly – clean his cage. I loved “Mousey.” That’s what I called him – “Mousey.”…
“For Those Who Missed the Rock” Part 2
The air was different in Okinawa – more humid than I was used to, also it appeared that most of Okinawa was covered in agriculture. My sense of smell was assaulted by an earthy smell – that I found foreign. We didn’t pass through many towns and the ones I saw were pretty disappointing. There…
*Flash Fiction* “Call Me Tony”
“Call me Tony” “Your name is Charlie.” “Yeah, I know but ‘Charles, Charlie, Chuck – they’re stupid names. So now I wanna be called “Tony.” “Why?” “It sounds cool.. Like I am Italian. And it’s the name John Travolta called himself in that Disco movie.” “Disco movie? Is that why you’re dressed up in that…
“A Strange Turn of Events” Part 11
My Adventures and Short Brush with Fame in Community Theater continued… I was so nervous that I flubbed my opening line and started spouting my opening line to Elmire in the next scene – “May heaven in who’s infinite goodness we adore…” Uh no… And so I continued with “And by way, Laurent hang up…
“For Those Who Missed the Rock” Part 1
I don’t want to go,” I sobbed as I tore off my civilian clothes and shoved them into a green duffel bag. There I was the big, tough guy Marine sobbing like a baby. Tears and snot ran down my face as I packed my gear for a flight to Okinawa, Japan. Matt, my younger…
“The Old Man Takes Us Out to Dinner”
Spring 1960. Los Altos, Caliifornia The Old Man decided to take us all out to dinner at the Geman Restaurant called “The Black Forest.” The Old Man ordered – Hungarian Ghoulash, Mom ordered Weiner Schnitzel and Matty opted for a Bratwurst which he proudly waved around like a baton – until he got smacked! I…
P. A. M. A. FILES: “Florsheim Shoes!” Part 2
For one glorious peaceful year, my Mom had been “single” but in recent phone conversations – hints were being dropped about a possible change. Translated – she was thinking about reconciling with Rick, my ex Stepfather. Rick was a character. He was a slick one-man demolition derby on two feet. If he came back into…
“Bum Pitch”
“HEYYYYYBATTTTAHBATTTTAH SWINNNG!” A Greek chorus of high pitched voices from little kids urge me to swing. Swing at a leather grenade that soars sixty miles an hour directly towards my head. I duck. STREEAAAIIIIKKKE ONE! yells the Umpire. A group of parents and fellow Cub teammates voice their outraged disapproval. “NOO! BOOO! THAT BALL ALMOST…
“A Strange Turn of Events” Part 10
My Adventures and Short Brush with Fame in Community Theater continued… “This is where it All Ends” Ian Astbury. Lead Singer. “Sun King” – The Cult, Sonic Temple Album 1989 And Just Like That the Opening night was upon me bringing all the butterflies and in my case “Terrors” that come with a first performance…
“Doodling in Class”
Miss Napier angrily snapped her chalk in half effectively silencing Class 3B. Striding over to my desk she snatched a paper off my desk. She towered like an angry Goddess over me as I shrunk down in my seat. “Charlie Bucklin – what are these scribbles?” “Uh, notes?” “They look like doodles on your paper!”…