Author: Miles Rost

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Friday Fictioneers – After The Rain

(Author’s notes: Well, after a harrowing day, I passed my driver’s test. I spent today, the day after, applying for jobs in my area. Hoping to find something relatively quickly, but who knows what the job search may bring. In the meantime, I’m bringing up music and revisiting old artists I never thought I’d see again. Here’s one of them, to enjoy today’s Fictioneers with.)

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© Jan Wayne Fields

After The Rain

by Miles H. Rost

Waterfalls.

Jack and Melinda Berry looked out over the vast valley, transformed from a dry and forbidden place into a vast and colorful vista.

To the left, waterfalls that cascaded quickly. To the right, wildflowers that bloomed once or twice a year. Behind them was the campsite, still wet from the prior night’s deluge.

They were worried about each other then, something they hadn’t done in many years. Huddled together as the storms whipped around them on that mountain ledge, they waited it out.

“It’s breathtaking, Jack.”

“You sure are, sweetie.”

In soaked clothing, Melinda snuggled at Jack’s side.

Hope.

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Friday Fictioneers – Titles

(Author’s note: Hey, folks! Hoping to be in the clear on things after next week. Spending time focused on my driver’s test. Praying I can pass it correctly. Here’s today’s fictioneers!)

disc-golf-basket
© Douglas M. MacIlroy

Titles

by Miles H. Rost

She let go with all her skill.

Janie Palmieri watched as the disc flew off into the distance. The last hole of the regional disc golf competition, and she could only watch.

The disc continued to sail on the winds. Like a feather, it floated gently upon the light breeze.

As Janie ran down the hill towards the “hole”, the disc fluttered slightly.

The wind changed direction.

Janie could not look. Her eyes huddled into the crook of her elbow, not wanting to see the faltering.

*Clank*

Cheers erupted. Janie looked up.

The disk lay vertical in the “hole”.

Triumph!

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Friday Fictioneers – Blue Hotel

(Author’s note: I am finally back at home after a week and a half with family, and traveling on the Empire Builder. Next set of challenges are coming, and I’m working quite hard on bringing them forward. Otherwise, onto today’s fictioneers!)

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© Yarnspinnerr

Blue Hotel

by Miles H. Rost

With an audible crack, his ankle released pressure.

A long drive behind him, and another forthcoming, Harvey knew he couldn’t continue with it.

Running from one city to another, collecting the markers and contracts from Las Vegas bookies, it was not the life he promised for his wife, Celestine.

He looked up at the ceiling in his hotel room, wondering where he went wrong. Realizing the futility, he picked up the receiver.

He dialed. And waited for the beep.

“Starlight, I’m on my way. Called in my markers. I’m done.”

He walked out, slips of paper peeking from the wastebasket.

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Friday Fictioneers – Fire Woman

(Author’s note: So, for the first time in a long time, I missed Fictioneers last week. I was on an Amtrak crossing the Northwest quadrant of the US, to visit family in Minnesota. I am on the way back later this week, so I got time to write this week. I will have more about things coming up, but I figured today would be a good day for writing a fictioneers. Enjoy!)

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© Dale Rogerson

Fire Woman

by Miles H. Rost

“Those are the biggest speakers I have ever seen.”

Janelle craned her neck to see the top of the massive sound blasters. Marty just chuckled as he turned knobs.

“These babies should be able to project our band’s sound everywhere.”

Marty smiled as he plugged his guitar into the amp.

“Are you sure you’re not going to go deaf?”

“What? Me? Go deaf? This isn’t “Back To The Future”!”

He lifted his pick, Janelle knowingly jumping behind the couch. He brought it down.

Janelle looked up after the colossal *boom*, seeing Marty fly over her into a table of strawberries.

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Friday Fictioneers – The Road Not Taken

(Author’s note: With the final part of my Korean experience finally complete, I now focus on the next phase of life. This means that Music and Fiction will likely get an upgrade/update in some way. Once I get settled back in a routine, this should happen. Until then, it’s Fictioneers and other stories I plan to write. Hope you enjoy today’s offering!)

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© Bjorn Rudberg

The Road Not Taken

by Miles H. Rost

“Daddy, do you ever wish you did something different?”

Paul looked down at his daughter, 9 years old and ever inquisitive.

“There are one or two things, sweetie. But, then you wouldn’t be here. That’s not a wish I would make.”

She put her arms around his waist, and hugged tightly.

“Do you regret losing your arm?”

He looked down at his sweetie, and sadly smiled.

“My arm saved 4 men in Iraq, sweetie. I would not trade that, no.”

Paul swept his arm under her and picked her up.

“Honey, my arm brought me home. No regrets.”

“I love you, Daddy!”

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Friday Fictioneers – Inherit The Stars

(No author’s note this time, enjoy the show!)

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© Ted Strutz

Inherit The Stars

 

by Miles H. Rost

“Brent, whatever are you doing out here?”

Brent looked up from his telescopic camera and smiled.

“They say that Jupiter is going to be closest tonight. I want to get a picture of her.”

His grandpa shuffled over to the camera, and peered through the viewfinder.

“Your uncle Stephen would be proud of you, you know.”
“Because of my interest in the planets?”
“Because you’re taking the time to explore more than just what’s around you.”

Brent looked up solemnly.

“There has to be more. I mean, how could all of this be created if there wasn’t a bigger purpose?”

Stephen Hawking (“Uncle Steve”) – Courtesy of The Telegraph 

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Friday Fictioneers – Jigue

crook-building
© Sandra Crook

Jigue

by Miles H. Rost

Tension as thick as whipped cream.

At the Ballarat Estate, the annual charity Chess and Pie Ball were underway, and the pie competition was fierce.

15 contestants, and the time was at hand for the final results.

“The winner of the Chess and Pie competition for this year is…”

The envelope opened. The bright face of the chairwoman turned glum.

“Angus MacDonald and his Scotch Pie…for the 12th year in a row.”

Angus laughed, and started to dance his jigue.

“HALT!”

Angus looked back, and saw Constable Barklay with handcuffs.

“The jigue is up. You were caught stealing that pie.”

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Friday Fictioneers – You Don’t Mess Around With Gym

(No Author’s Note! Enjoy things!)

j-hardy-boxing-gym
© J. Hardy Carroll

You Don’t Mess Around With Gym

by Miles H. Rost

“Hey, James! Roster’s up!”

James Barclay slapped his gloves on the canvas and sauntered over. His bruised eye looked it over.

“Bugs Jacobs again?! I put him flat 2 weeks ago.”

“He’s persistent,” Marti replied.

“He’s a flippin’ pest.”

Marti grinned, her smile as bright as her hair was. She strutted to the canvas and gave it a slap.

“Wanna practice what you did to him last time?”

James chuckled, as he wrapped his arms around her.

“When I married you, I didn’t think you’d be so bloodthirsty.”

“Well, folks know not to mess around with James.”

“Except you.”

Marti winked.

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Friday Fictioneers – Cry

(Author’s note: I’m in the USA. I’m on dry land. I’m jet lagged beyond all hell. I apologize if this isn’t coherent. Here’s the fictioneers for this week, a day later than normal.)

mg-rose-stem

© Marie Gail Stratford

Cry

by Miles H. Rost

Hair tousled.

The wind made a mess of Brian’s hair.

He stood, looking out at the ocean. He stepped out of the vehicle, and within a moment he was alone.

He felt the entire weight of his years descend upon his soul, the experiences of his many years crushing him.

Brian completed his assignments, did what he needed to do, and ended up here, a place that he long had felt lost. He wasn’t home, but he wasn’t familiar with the place.

Like the waves he was spying, the emotions crashed into him repeatedly.

A tear fell.

He fell.

Crying.

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Friday Fictioneers – In Your Eyes

(Author’s note: The last couple weeks have been hell. I’m now at a point where I can do a lot more with my time, and hopefully will be able to update a lot more and answer things. Next week, I should be on time with my writing…depending on whether I’ll be writing on a plane or not. Otherwise, enjoy today’s Valentine’s Day writing piece!)

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© Dale Rogerson

In Your Eyes

by Miles H. Rost

His plane touched down at 4:30.

By 6:00, he was gazing into the eyes of someone he waited years to see.

“I ran.”

“But you grew since you’ve been gone.”

“I grew up, but for what? We could have been married by now”

She looked away, but returned to his gaze.

“But you wouldn’t be you now. And you, now, are the one I choose.”

He kept gazing into the brown and green pools of her eyes. Reading.

“It’s time.”

“To what?”

“For me to make up for lost time.”

She blushed, still holding her gaze.

“It’s snowing. Come, let’s get warm.”

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