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Latest Stories

March 19, 2024
Fantasy Stories Wondering Monk

Just My Imagination

The alarm clock went off and started playing an awful tune. Tom opened his eyes and closed them back, squinting. He reopened one eye and stood up to stop the torture. The phone was on the desk, in the furthest spot from the bed. Although he changed his way of…
March 19, 2024
Science Fiction Stories Ocelotlzin

Earth Is Dead

Recording… It doesn't matter who I was; I probably lived a long time ago, and I am now just a voice someone added to the audio-visual records. What is essential is the recollection of events that lead to the current state. So, a little history needs to be…
March 08, 2024
Flash Fiction Benoit

Some Enchanted Evening

It was a rugby tackle with tears: Chrissy burst in, sobbing and babbling, hugging James. Her face was all wet, eyes wild. What…? My parents split up, Dad has moved in with his boyfriend and I cannot join them. I am shut out. I have lost my dad. Torrent of…
March 08, 2024
Horror Stories Marvel Chukwudi Pephel

In The Hands Of My Legs

The car pulled up in front of the large salon. The neon sign, that sexy broad thing, on the salon'sroof read "Mr. Gil's All-night Salon". The exhaust pipe of the car was pumping solid smoke, theswirls moving from the car and towards the salon.…
March 07, 2024
Mystery Stories Vanessa Leigh Giles

Casualty of Love in the Time of Coronavirus

Chapter 1 Until Death do us Part ‘Ring, ring!’. I answered the telephone and asked, “Hello, good evening. Who’s this? “Hello.” This is Dr. Smith from Red Cross hospital. “Is this Mr. Locke, John?”, he asked, hesitantly scratching his bald head. “Yes, doctor.…
March 07, 2024
Crime Stories Robert Pook

Bar Room Trigger

Another return journey on footpaths so familiar. He strides across each crack in each paving stone. Regular loose drain covers sidestepped. Mapping long ago mapped in Richard’s desolate mind. His pace hastened by the sight of the oncoming storm. Quickening…
March 04, 2024
Horror Stories Ano Chinemerem

Sanctity

Where should I begin? I could begin by telling you about this comely boy, whom every notable person around the streets agrees his smile could charm the bills off one. Between one smile, there was his goodness, his dreams and humanity—a little far ahead?— but…
March 04, 2024
Flash Fiction Emanuel Diaz

Et Mortui Partium

As Rafael stepped out into the rain, it wasn't the ordinary drops that fell from the sky. Instead, it was a storm of souls, each one taking the form of shimmering jewelry as it cascaded toward the ground. Rubies, diamonds, and sapphires twinkled amidst the…
February 29, 2024
Poetry Jing Li Ava

London

‘Am I in London?’ "I am." Where is Elizabeth? Happy living story All of your chapter Bounlance joy Please my heart Power hand Wise mind Our baby Vow vow Love all love Miss I miss Endless wonder Bring us together Love all love Miss I miss For everything My…
February 29, 2024
Flash Fiction Rob Pook

Life Sentence of The Smith

Born nine months after his country won the World Cup.A child prodigy.Cast off at age twenty-four.Husband, father, emigree, away on the other side of the world.The blue-collar life.The dreams of success.The search for fulfillment.The long years of empty…
February 29, 2024
Mystery Stories Joshua Lowther

The Operator

Jason looked over to his right, his eyes barely able to focus themselves on the subject of his attention. His neck ached terribly from the strenuous movement. He was tired. The captain’s gaze came to rest on the rookie sonar operator sitting tense at his…
February 29, 2024
Flash Fiction Salvatore Difalco

The Chute

At dusk, we left our unit with a soft pink bundle. I carried it through the wet streets and into the black woods. I said I’d take it all the way, the bundle, but that we had to drop it in together. My wife’s green eyes flashed. “Don’t make me do that.” I…

I want a chief of staff.

The more I think about it, the more I think everybody could use one.

A lot of politicians have one, and, from what I can see, they come in handy.

They are much like a best friend, anyway. You know, working behind the scenes, acting as a confidant as you hash out the tough issues and reach the hard decisions. There are times when they have to help mediate disputes. But a chief of staff will do one more thing: take the flak.

Really, wouldn’t it be nice if there were moments when your best friend was your chief of staff? You know, to handle those unpleasant conversations you don’t want to have:

Riinnng …

“Hello?”

“Hi, Joyce, this is Jamie. Look, I’ve been talking to my boy Roger about that whole live-together thing and I have to tell you it’s not going to happen. I want you to know, it’s not him; it’s me. He argued like the Dickens for it, but in the end he had to accept my argument that he’s just got too much on his plate right now – what, with him having a job and it being football season, and all the new fall shows being on, and all. Look, I’m not saying it’s not going to even happen, just that it’s not going to happen. I’m sure you understand that. And I want you to know it’s nothing personal. Roger still thinks the relationship is going good; still thinks it’s in a good place. We just don’t think it’s in that place. I want you to know you’re still appreciated around her. Why, just last night the wife was talking about what a good time we had at dinner with you all the other week. Actually, Traci thinks the world of you. She really does. In fact, we’ll have to get together and do that again sometime. Let’s make it soon. Well, I’ve got to run. I hope you have a good day. Really, let’s all get together soon. Oh, and Roger wanted me to remind you don’t forget to pick up a pizza on the way over tonight.”

Riinnng …

“Hello?”

“Hi, Roger. It’s done. I think it went well. She didn’t really give me a lot of feedback, but I made sure she understood your position, and that you all won’t be living together. I tried to let her down as easy as possible.”

“Wow, thanks, man. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem. Ok, we’ll go out for beers soon, buddy.”

Riinnng...

“Hello?”

Hi, Jamie. This is Mary. How are you doing today? Good! Good! Look, I’ve been talking to Traci about the whole want-to-start-a-family thing -- yeeaah…”

Then again, maybe everybody doesn’t need a chief of staff.

 

THE END

 

Jamie C. Ruff is a former reporter, native of Greensboro, NC, and author of three e-books, the western “Colby Black: from Slave to Cowboy” the contemporary tale of discovery and camaraderie “Reinventing the Uninvented Me,” and the work of historical fiction “The Peculiar Friendship.” All are available for download at Amazon.com

 

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