Friday Fictioneers

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Friday Fictioneers – Kisses In The Rain

(Author’s Note: Activity has been low in the last little while due to a few issues. One of the things I’m doing is working really hard on a different project that will help me clear a piece of debt. I am hoping to write more, but it may not be until the new year before I do. Some cases are just a little harder than others. But, while I’m here, have a story!)

© David Stewart (The Green-Walled Tower)

Kisses In The Rain
by Miles H. Rost


“Whoa!”

Tina slipped backwards, as she felt a tug on her knit scarf. She fell into something hard, which she realized was a man’s chest. Just as she landed, a speeding metro bus sped by.

“Gotta watch out, especially in this weather,” the man said, his voice steady and measured, but a little high.

She looked up, and gave a smile of thanks.

“Now, make sure you look both ways.”

The man set her up on her feet, and he picked up his briefcase. With a doff of his hat, he rushed off.

She looked.

She blinked.

“WHAT THE HELL?!?!”

Come and read! I dare you!

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Friday Fictioneers – Even Then

(Author’s note: The last month of work has been absolute hell. Due to a lot of complications, there were many late evenings and my body hasn’t been getting the rest it needed. Along with the loss of a good Korean friend of mine late last week, it’s been difficult to even get the mode to write. However, I am hopefully going to be able to update more regularly. Here’s today’s story:)

© Sandra Crook

Even Then

by Miles H. Rost

The bead of sweat dripped off Simon’s ear, facing the stares of his girlfriend’s parents.

“How do you plan to make money for Si Hyeon?”
“I… work in aerospace engineering. I make plenty of money.”

Si Hyeon’s father sat back. Her mother leaned forward.

“You will take care of us when we can’t?”
“Of course! Having family close is important!”

She sat back and smiled. Simon leaned forward.

“How often will you babysit the children when me and Si Hyeon want to go out?”

Her parents paused, as the color drained out of their faces. Simon sat back, grinning.

Checkmate.

Want to read more?

Click the Kimchi Stew!
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Friday Fictioneers – Tea In The Sahara

(Author’s note: I’ve been gone the last few weeks, partially due to overtime at work, but also partially because I’ve been dealing with a massive mental health issue that has cropped up more and more as the years go by. I decided to be proactive, but that required me to be away. Anyhow, I’m back to a form of equilibrium, and here’s my next piece of work.)

© Jen Pendergast

Tea In The Sahara
by Miles H. Rost

The average person wouldn’t understand the comfort of a whistling tea kettle.

They wouldn’t understand it if they were posted to a Mauritanian outpost for years on end.

Five long years sitting with miles of sand in front of me, and 2 miles from the ocean behind me. All to collect a long dead currency for travel along the coast and security from invaders.

I was relieved of my post and sent to Tangier, my next post being a trade house clerk. Much busier, but not as dusty. And the comforting tea kettle whistles to me that everything’s quite okay.

Click the picture to join the tea party.
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Friday Fictioneers – Fortress Around Your Heart

(Author’s note: The last two weeks have been quite a busy set. A few cases at work really blew up, and the celebration of my dad’s birthday were big. This meant I had to spend more time outside of writing than I did in. But, with things cooling down a bit, I’m back for another week.)

© Sandra Crook

Fortress Around Your Heart

by Miles H. Rost

For many years, Martin had built a defense around himself, constructed of utilitarian thought and his perceptions of the world imposing on him. A defense that would allow him to not be hurt.

Everytime someone got close enough, the walls went into place and he shut them out.

He met Hye Jin, a young widow and a gardener, in the fall. He would do her favors, but if she ever gave him a compliment, he always brushed it aside.

When she finally hugged him from behind, all of the defenses fell in an instant. He finally accepted love and appreciation.

Why not try your hand at it?

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Friday Fictioneers – Cirrostratus

Author’s note: None today, just writing.

© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Cirrostratus

by Miles H. Rost

Tullea set her stuffed cat, bandages on its right paw and ear, on the chair.

She briefly looked out at the cirrostratus clouds in the sky, before smiling, and calling out “Next Patient!”

She walked over to a different chair, where sat a barbie doll with a small knit cap and a blue dress.

“Welcome to the clinic, Ms. Barbie. How are you feeling today?” she asked, waiting a few seconds for the “answer” from the smiling doll. Tullea shook her head, tapping the side.

“An active brain is important, Ms. Barbie, if you’re going to beat your dementia.”

Keep your brain healthy, by clicking the frog and reading the stories!
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Music And Fiction – Building A Mystery

(Author’s note: Due to issues beyond my control (mostly work related), I had to take the week off from writing. It sucks, but in the type of work I do, sometimes it is necessary to put in a little extra time. Thankfully, today was the last of the extra work, hopefully for the Summer. Here we go with today’s fictioneers!)

© Ted Strutz

Building A Mystery

by Miles H. Rost

“…and this final piece is an expression in progress.”

The gallery exhibitor stood tall next to the large wall with pictures.

“The bottom picture was the first in the line, drawn by the artist. He did this after being in a coma for 5 months. She was 16.”

He pointed to the photos.

“The photos were taken as he grew older, the subject in her 30s.”

He looked up at the large painting.

“This portrait was the final painting, the subject assumed to be in her early 40s. The artist went missing after. He is still missing today.”

Bulld your own mystery, and write about it!
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Friday Fictioneers – Downtown Train

(Author’s note: I decided to go a whole different direction with this than I was originally thinking. This one has a little bit of a different feel to it. You’ll understand when you read…)

© David Stewart

Downtown Train

by Miles H. Rost

Patrick walked out of the hobby shop, happily clutching the bag that held his latest treasure. Robert, his longtime friend, scrunched his face in a puzzled expression.

“So, tell me this again. You’re building…”
“A bullet-style train setup in my garage. Since I don’t have a car, I figure why not use the garage for something hobbyish.”
“And this train is…”
“A KTX-Cheongryong, or KoRail Class 16000. 2 control cars and 4 motor/passenger cars.”
“Isn’t that excessive?”
“Nah. It pales compared to Rod Stewart’s setup.”
“THE Rod Stewart?”
“The same. Seems like a lot of celebs are railheads.”
“Y’don’t say…”

(Little known fact: Rod Stewart has two different rail setups in his houses in LA and England. He’s one of the big names mentioned as a celebrity who is also a rail enthusiast. Others include Michael Jordan, Roger Daltrey, and Elton John.)

You know you want to, so why not? Click the box frog!

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Friday Fictioneers – One For The Road

(Author’s note: Thank you to everyone who commented on the story from last week. It was exactly as I hoped for it. The style of writing I’ve done for Fictioneers has been what I like to call “Snapshots In Time”, where a moment is described and a picture can be brought up from it. This is what helps keep me grounded. Anyhow, here’s the next entry:)

© Ted Strutz

One For The Road

by Miles H. Rost

The last day of my trip to see my mom was the hardest.

She was still sprightly, though older now and a little more willing to be slow. But there was always time for cribbage.

“How about one more for the road, son?”
“It’s 2-2 during the week I’ve been here. It might be good to stay right there for now. We can pick it up when I visit…”

A small piece of advice from my time in Korea, made me stop.

They won’t be on Earth forever.

I sat, picking up the cards.

“One more for the road, Mom.”

Come on and join in. Click the frog!
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Friday Fictioneers – Follow Your Bliss

(Author’s note: It’s been 11 months since my last post here. Part of the reason I needed to take time off was because I was getting into a point of my life where I was just creatively dying. But after taking time off for me, and dealing with things in my life that needed to be dealt with, I am back and hopefully refreshed. I’m hoping to do this every week, and maybe more. Depending. Anyhow, here we go: )

© Roger Bultot

Follow Your Bliss

by Miles H. Rost

————-
Harry uncurled the final rope, dropping onto the deck from the pier.

Turning the key and pressing the ignition, the twin-board engines roared to life. He lowered them into the water, and started maneuvering his craft into the river.

25 years working a soul sucking job at the nation’s police bureau, Harry finally had what he wanted. He was retired and working private security, and enjoyed the one thing he always wanted:

A boat, and the clearance to ride in the evening. A chance to follow his bliss.

He recreated this experience as much as he could. Content in life.
—-

Follow Your Own Bliss!
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Friday Fictioneers – Return To Innocence

(Author’s note: It’s been one day over 6 months since I last posted here. Part of the reason is that I was going through a massive bout of writer’s block. But more deeply, I was going through a longer-wave episode of depression. It’s not the clinical stuff, but it’s a family history where when it hits, you can’t do anything but wait it out until it releases. So now, back to it, 6 months later.)

© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Return To Innocence

by Miles H. Rost

Parking his car next to the old cabin, Patrick walked around to inspect the place.

Everything he remembered about the cabin of his youth rang true, believing what was being seen. He smiled while relishing the idea of taking three weeks and just detoxing from the “civilized” world.

He walked behind the cabin, into the spaced woods and noticed the various patchwords of spider webs. A memory that he shared the space with a species that knew his presence.

He raised a hand, and gave a whistle. A small, pillow shaped spider looked at him from their perch and waved.

Possible likeness of said spider, saying “Howdoo!” (image used only for imaginative purposes, it is not mine)
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