Wrapping my fingers around the head; gripping lightly, yet firmly.  My lips kiss the mouth, puckering slightly.  I inhale, a deep whoosh in my lungs.  Purple Kool-Aid coats my tongue, warms my throat, strokes my mind.  Deeper and deeper, I begin to ride the wave. 

I hold my… Read full post »

Emptying the dishwasher is a dangerous business. The mugs, in particular, prove to be problematic. Their varying shapes make spacing painful. Too much crowding results in unpleasant clinks and severe breakage. Logically, the tallest mugs are usually placed in the back of the cabinet, while the shorte… Read full post »

Insomnia (Part 13) (Parts 1-12 can be found here in the "my links" section under Insomnia)

E

I stand there, arms akimbo, waiting for her to come up with some kind of response. She’s stubborn like a teething infant, however, so I know the silence will continue. She holds me with her… Read full post »

As my husband so cleverly pointed out; we actually spent two full time work weeks, plus overtime, on the train.  I can't believe we actually made it, but here we are, in good ol' Spokane, Washington.  The air is thin and humidity free, and the weather is as erratic as I… Read full post »

Insomnia (Part 12) (Parts 1-11 can be found under my links)

Elizabeth Stark

“Who are you talking to,” I inquire, slightly irritated. I finally get the nerve to, “answer the fucking door”, and she’s talking on the phone? How fucking typical. She’s also ignoring me,… Read full post »

Dear AtHomePilgrim,

First of all, I have to point out how devilishly clever your alias is.  I absolutely cherish a subtle oxymoron; so good on you!  Secondly, kudos for this brief, "Inside the Actors Studio", cross-over.  I think it gives all of us prospective publishees a chance to f… Read full post »

To my Mother:

Yeah, I'll still take your guilt money.  What you lack in affection you make up for in liquid assetts.  I'm not a fool; I know it could be worse.  I've been lucky enough not to retain any psychical bruises from you. 

I know you've had a fantasically diffic… Read full post »

I love writing.  Seriously, if I could hook writing up to my veins, I would.  I'd shoot it up in a dirty bathroom stall.  I don't know if there's such a thing as, "Writer's Rehab", but I'd be a perfect candidate. 

Despite my passion, I'm not disillusioned.  I don't have… Read full post »

Once upon a time; there was an auburn-haired girl. This faded flame had a silly little dream. At night, while she partnered with her pillow, she entertained her forbidden wish. She wasn’t naïve; she knew her desire was near impossible. Despite this, her logic side was often beat out. Her m… Read full post »

Insomnia Part 11 (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10)

E.

Having successfully separated head from body, the customer pauses briefly, whisking sweat from his brow. He observes his work, checking tendons to assure nothing is left… Read full post »

Plink-plink-plink. Scarletta shifted; slumber briefly disturbed. Plink-plink-plink. Scarletta sat up; the darkness devouring her vision. She blinked repeatedly; clearing the cloud. She waited, ears pinpricked; anticipating the strange sound. A full minute passed, and she’d all but returned to t… Read full post »

Confusion 

If I wasn't so blocked,

if my words made sense,

if I could tell you what I mean,

if I wasn't "passive agressive";

would it make any difference?

What do I do?

What do I say?

I can't ask you,

if I inquire it's meaningless.

"Take that love and do… Read full post »

The casserole dish crashed to the floor, glass skittering across the tile. Silence stretched like a yoga instructor. Then, he laughed. She stood there, with marinara spackling her skin and lasagna noodles pooling around her feet. The laughter continued, becoming larger by the minute. Every time the c… Read full post »

The following is in response to Froggy's open call.   She proposed the brilliant idea of exploring our own "roads not taken".  Obviously she does a better job of explaining this than me, so check out the link.  I did mine in 101 words:

When I was six, my family moved… Read full post »

I can’t talk; but I can write. Speaking, in any language, has always been a foreign concept to me. Audible words are torturous, they fly from my mouth without warning. I sputter, deflect, and awkwardly phrase my way to defeat. Writing, on the other hand, comes easily. If I choose the… Read full post »

He’d asked her out before. His fingers had bled from hours of hand picking roses. With a hopeful smile he’d presented the bouquet; blood mixing with petals. “Will you accompany me to a movie this Friday evening?” He’d cursed himself silently for his bizarre use of phrasi… Read full post »

Note: If you enjoy reading this, check out my other blog: Contessa Hughes.

Dear F*ck Sarah Silverman,

I’m aware of the fact that you find yourself amusing. I think we all are. I imagine you believe that your, “zingers”, could have bought a loaf of bread during the Great Depres… Read full post »

Insomnia (Part 10) (PREVIOUSLY ON INSOMNIA: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9)

E.

Standing above the dealer; the customer peers down as if witnessing a science experiment. He lets the army duffle slip from his grasp; and it… Read full post »

I used to tell my younger sister she was adopted. She’d always reply; “Whatever! Mom would’ve told me.” To which I’d retort; “Ask her to see your birth certificate.” Of course my mother never had our birth certificates on hand; she kept them in a safety depos… Read full post »

A new OS user (fresh meat =P) has proposed an intriguing open call in response to my flash fiction post: "Erotica 101".   Maybelle, (isn't her name deliciously charming), has issued the intense challenge of writing an erotic Haiku. I know; awesome! So of course, I bit. We all know how addic… Read full post »

Steam. The shower hits me like a freight train; water scalding. I sigh. My skin prickles; a field of tiny bumps. I wear the humidity like my favorite jeans. Leaning my head back, I slide my hand down my throat. Using only my nails I slip my hand further, stopping at… Read full post »

I have to say, I am hooked.  I have a real problem.  I can't seem to stop, even though I know it's bad for me.  I'm asking for everyone's help.  Please... stop... COMING  UP WITH SUCH AWESOME OPEN CALLS! Geez!

Also, everyone PLAY!  Thanks goes to OEsheepdog for bri… Read full post »

Since I have joined OS; I have been subject to a myriad of artistic inventions.  Some bloggers post beautiful photography; often of rare flowers or intensely intimate moments.  Others scribe lyrical diatribes detailing seemingly mundane life events.  A great deal of the members here, h… Read full post »

If you don't enjoy smut; you won't enjoy this.

E. S.

A dull daze had settled over me. I slumped against the counter; feverishly counting down the minutes until I could leave. The revolving door of consumers drained onward and I waited. Everything seemed to move like honey; dripping… Read full post »

Let’s gather around the campfire, shall we? Everyone bring their sleeping bags; and form a circle if you please. I’d like to speak a spell. Please don’t misunderstand me; the words I speak are factual; this is truly no tall tale. So please settle in; and stay for a while.

I… Read full post »