500 < Short Story < 7500 words

Pastries

Submitted by on

Cupcake

Pastries
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

It seems like everybody has a marketing degree, so I could not get the job I was looking for. I hate to admit it but it was my mother that got me the job. She knew Mario, the head chef at Perelli’s Italian Restaurant, and having told him that I was more than capable in the kitchen, in particular in baking, she was able to get me a job in the kitchen.

Losses

Submitted by on

Losses
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

I lost my balls at 17. It was a motorcycle accident. I was wearing my helmet and had good shoes on, but otherwise just shorts and a tee-shirt. I lost control and hit the kerb dead in front. The bike rode up but I went forward, over the fuel tank. The fuel cap tore open my scrotum and tore into my penis as well. I flew over the sidewalk and landed in the bushes. Other than the mutilation of my genitals I had only light injuries.

The right Apartment.

Submitted by on

At 22 George was excited. He had not long ago completed a grueling course in business management, which was a total plus.

Mostly he was happy to be finally free of his over obsessive parents. Having at least two states between him and his parents made him happy, mind you he only had the one suitcase of clothes. Part of that contained his Ipad, chargers, and his few pictures in an envelope with his papers.

The Option

Submitted by on

The Option
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

I did not recognise the name when I was told of my visitor. Although it had been a few years I recognized her as one the victims of the Pickton Prowler, a mass rapist who I had been instrumental in catching. After an exchange of greetings I sat to hear what she had to say.

“I was sorry to hear about your conviction”, she said. “There are many of us who truly appreciate what you did for us. We want to help. In particular Annie Haldane and the Mitchell Sisters want to help.”

Life on the Run in Skirts - Chapter 34 & 35

Submitted by on

CHAPTER 34 - You may not always end up where you thought you were going, but you will always end up where you were meant to be.

Ellen, Beth, and Nancy stood watch over his bed in the hospital holding hands and staring down at the shattered body of Heather who looked like a mummy covered from head to toes in bandages. Derrick walked into the room and asked, "What happened? I heard Heather had been in a car accident."

Ellen sobbed, "Not exactly. He was shot three times while driving to the grocery store."

"Who would shoot your husband?"

A Grumpy Old Man’s Tale 17 Charlie’s time in Glazebury

Submitted by on

Susana said, ‘My husband doesn’t think all scousers are thieves. He knows they are. He’s worked with thousands of them and as far as I’m concerned he knows what he’s talking about. You don’t.”

With updated Footnotes.

Girls Love Paris Best

Submitted by on

Girls Love Paris Best
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

My name is Laurence Beale. I used to be known as Larry. I always thought of myself as a masculine guy – I played football and baseball. I always thought of Laurence as a masculine name. I could of Larry Coombes, Larry Holmes, Larry Johnson. It never occurred to me that because of that name I could be mistaken for being a girl.

You Are a Meany Chapter 10

Submitted by on

After the beach vacation Fred was interacting a lot more with his family. He made it a point to know exactly what was going on in his home. When the loving father and husband asked about everyone’s day it was not just part of his greeting. He pried if anyone gave short answers. Also, anything out of the ordinary lead to Luke’s Lord Protector to become The Inquisitor. This meddling was going to put a delay on Lori’s revenge on Luke. The Brat Princess still had not forgiven nor forgotten about the transgression the commoner committed against the queen.

Mary-Ann

Submitted by on

Well every good story I have heard about starts at the beginning, or so I am told.

I would love to say I was born at a good time for both of my loving parents.

The truth is I don't believe my mother knew my father. It was a one night fling after a very drunk bar night. My mother was young at the time. Around seventeen, and like most of the girls her age, believed a one night of sex was not enough to get her pregnant. She was wrong.

The Trouble with Binky

Submitted by on

2020 January - Leap of Faith Story Contest

The Trouble with Binky
by Rosalie Redd

I screamed through the gates of the estate in my Testarosa. My name is Maximilian Wallace Brockton. I am a world-renown dancer and actor. I live on this estate with my sister. I suspect we have a man-servant or two that live on the estate somewhere. I don’t really know.

Coming into the foyer, I was greeted by my sister, Binky. She had been working in her workshop, as is her usual hobby. She ran in and lept into my arms.

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Submitted by on

Dissociative Identity Disorder
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

“As you can see,” said Dr Theobald, “We have had to put him in restraints again.”

Her face was up to the window, but she kept her eyes closed. She could not bear to look. She knew what she would see. Her precious son. The one that she had held to her breast, and nurtured, was insane.

“I want to discuss with you a therapy,” said Dr Theobald. “It is a longshot, but with your consent we could try something.”

Getting Lost in the Girly-Girly Swamp

Submitted by on

I dearly love my twin. I may complain about the consequences but I really do love Alexis. Fraternal twins, of course. We couldn’t be more different. Alexis is the younger one, by 28 minutes. Already as a baby Alexis was small and prone to get sick. I on the other hand have always been “robust”. I’ve always felt very protective about Alexis. That’s how I got dragged into the “Girly-girly swamp”.

Immersion

Submitted by on

Immersion
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

I sort of, fell into Sociology. I had always intended to study the liberal arts and I enrolled in College in Political Science, Economics and Sociology. Frankly, I found Political Science annoying and Economics confusing. Sociology just seemed to fit. I cruised through the bachelor courses and was invited to do honours. Even before I received that degree I was invited to do a master’s degree, based on a research program.

The Repair Man

Submitted by on

This is another real oldie from circa 2010/2011

It was a normal Saturday and I was doing my weekly grocery shopping on virtual autopilot. You know what I mean. You buy the same items from the same shelves at the supermarket every week unless they had moved everything just for the sake of moving it and to annoy their customers.

I’d gotten everything on my mental list and was now at the checkout waiting to be served. I refused to use those automated or self-service checkout unless there was really no other option.

“Good Morning Ms Samuels. How are you today?”

Killer Man-Eating Pussies

Submitted by on

The title was originally a spam subject, snatched up as part of Malinov's "Exploding Nipples" contest in 1997-1998. I didn't actually write the story until years later, in 2006. Thanks to Denny Wheeler for proof-reading and catching some unfortunate blunders in the original ASSM post.

A Boy visits a Girl for a planned movie and dinner. Things get hot.

Anomaly - A Star Trek Story

Submitted by on

Anomaly – A Star Trek Story
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

“I am fully aware of the Prime Directive, Spock.” Captain James T Kirk found himself again annoyed by his friend’s reference to the fundamental rules applying.

Life on the Run in Skirts - Chapter 33

Submitted by on

CHAPTER 33 - Happiness can be a dangerous thing; it can make you greedy for more.

The next morning, Ellen had to wake Heather up because she had been worn out from the night’s activities. It was a rush getting ready for their flight. Ellen had kept their destination a guarded secret. Heather asked, "Where are we going?"

As they waited in line to check into the airline. Ellen relented, "Honey trust me, you’ll love it. It will be two bodacious babes on the beaches of Bali for seven days and nights."

Wartime Romance

Submitted by on

WAC

Wartime Romance
A Short Story
From an Idea by Erin
By Maryanne Peters

After Pearl Harbor, everyone wanted to get in the fight. I had two older brothers sign up in the spring of 1942. My father said that they were born to be soldiers. He never said that about me.

Always Fi

Submitted by on

Always Fi
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

There was no voice. With a buzz the gates swung open and the cab continued up the drive to the large house.

It was impressive. Large columns beside the entrance. Two storeys with attic rooms visible. Wings extended either side. A fountain in the forecourt. At least one of us has done well, Gary thought to himself.

He wondered for a moment whether his war buddy would meet him on the step, or whether he would have to ring the bell. Only for a moment as he could see the figure stepping out of the house.

Thai Plastic

Submitted by on

Thai Plastic
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

Rock, paper, scissors. That was how we decided it. Best of three. Somebody had to stay in Thailand. One of our local partners had absconded with some of the profits. We still had a well-connected local who had invested hard cash, but he knew nothing about plastic extrusions. One of us would need to commit to staying to run the factory. So it was down to chance.

The lover from next door

Submitted by on

[This is yet another story from my archives. Circ 2011]

“Do you Katya Collins take Lauren Allen as your lawful wedded wife?”

“I do.”

“Do you Lauren Allen take Katya Collins as your lawful wedded wife?”

“I do.”

“Katya, will you please recite your vows?”

Specialist Nanny

Submitted by on

Specialist Nanny
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

Authors Note: This story is based on the advertisement that appears in it (page 3) which is close to word for word, what appeared in a national daily in 2017.

My sister started out in the business by being best babysitter in the neighbourhood. To do that, all she needed to do was to ensure that when anybody that employed her needed a baby sitter, there was always a baby sitter available.

You Are a Meany Chapter 9

Submitted by on

Most of the time there was no other place in the world where Tom Downey would rather be than the Lincoln Park Bike Park. Going there was special because the bike park was only open weather permitting. His parents would only take him there once a month during the school year and twice in the summer. The trip to the bike park not being common, made everything about the place even more special. To Tom, the expert level BMX course was the best in the world. The bike trail must be the longest and widest Tom had ever seen. Even the wooden picnic benches were comfortable.

"A Moth On A Sloth: Why a Sloth is Green" A Story of Evolution and Cooperation

Submitted by on

A MOTH ON A SLOTH: Why a Sloth is Green

A Tale of Evolution and Cooperation (Symbioses)

------------------------------------------------------------------

There is a moth on a three toed sloth.

There is a fungus on the skin on the sloth.

There is algae in the fur of the sloth.

They all form a family,

that lives in a tree.

___________________________

The moth and the fungus and the algae and the sloth all take care of each other.

You see none can survive without the other,

Second Life

Submitted by on

Second Life
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

I thought we were happy. I am not sure that any marriage was perfect, but I thought we were happy. I just could not understand why he would disappear and leave me and the boys behind.

It was the day after we returned from holidays together. For some reason he had not had a haircut for months and had grown what for him was a fairly substantial beard. He had said that he was going in to town to have a haircut and a proper shave before starting back at work the day after. He just never came back.

Mirror Talk

Submitted by on

Mirror Talk
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

As I was about to sit down. I felt a sharp stabbing pain in my balls. A searing pain in both, at the same time. My hand went immediately to my groin. But no, there was nothing there. Just the slit below my trimmed bush, with the nubbin poking out between the folds. No balls. Long gone.

Invasion

Submitted by on

You are bigots, not just your people, but all of the alliance’s peoples, no better than the invaders. Many of our spiritual leaders are mentally of one sex living in the body of the other, and over the centuries you have burnt many of them alive. To this day it is an offence under your law for them to even exist.

Life on the Run in Skirts - Chapter 31

Submitted by on

CHAPTER 31 - Around 50 % of marriages in the United States end in divorce.

Ellen was extremely apprehensive about her husband and their future together. He had been so depressed lately that she never knew what to expect when she arrived home each night. Heather had even taken to sleeping in the spare bedroom on most nights, claiming it was so Ellen could be assured a good night’s rest.

Paralyzed

Submitted by on

Paralyzed
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

She turns off the television. Bitch.

“Your daughter and her fiance are here to see you, Mr Rixon.”

God, no. And why does she have to talk to me like this, that Nurse Kelly. She even says the words “Mr Rixon” as if I am a small child, not a full grown man lying inert and useless on this bed.

And now I must go through it all again. My nightmare. The loss of my son.

“Hello Daddy, how are we feeling today?”

The Temp

Submitted by on

“Hold on a moment Tommy and Ellen, Mummy needs to take this call.”

I was almost outside the school where my five-year old was a pupil. As was normal, I was taking my son Tommy and my friends daughter Ellen to school.

I answered the phone.

“Hello Sam. What can I do for you this fine morning?”

“Hillman Chemicals? Yes, I know it. What is the job?”

“Editing lab reports? Yeah, I can do that. Do they have my CV?”

choosing

Submitted by on

Thirty-six barking dogs make an incredible amount of noise. Even eliminating the nine puppies leaves me with too many dogs to look at fairly in one session. I’m beginning to think this plan may be harder than I thought. O. K., eliminate the two very old dogs. I need pets that will live a number of more years. Just look at dog sized dogs. Pekes and miniature poodles are for old ladies. That gets it down to nineteen dogs. After two and a half hours of playing fetch, scratching bellies and a bit of testing for previous training I have six dogs to see again tomorrow.

Life on the Run in Skirts - Chapter 30

Submitted by on

CHAPTER 30 - Rape victims feel responsible.

Heather was not the same after his near sexual assault.

Too make matters worse, Ellen continued to date men on occasion. One Saturday night, more accurately Sunday morning, Heather watched from the bedroom window as Ellen walked her date to the door and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him goodnight.

Diversity

Submitted by on

Diversity
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

“You have to be either gay or black to get ahead in this organization.” Luther drank deeply from his tall glass of beer. “I’m black, so you lose.”

I could only shake my head, but in agreement. But we were here to celebrate his elevation to a named manager on one of the key funds established by our employer. That meant not only the status but a share of the return based management fee.

Pages

Subscribe to 500 &lt; Short Story &lt; 7500 words