Snow

An Advent Calendar of Stories

December 14 2014

Snow

Dorothy Mahoney

Snowball (shooter= brandy, peppermint schnapps and chocolate liqueur)

He paced from window to window muttering as the snow continued to drift.

"Killer storm… polar vortex… warming my ass…"

He plunged into the closet and forged out the front door like a warrior, his face masked, his torso padded, his feet in steel-toed boots with treads for deep traction.

When the snow blower wouldn't start, he grabbed the shovel and attacked the sidewalk. None of his neighbors were out. It was like the end of the world, a snow apocalypse. His fingers went numb and his eyes began to water, his chest tightened.

The snow drifted around him.

About the Author

Dorothy Mahoney is getting ready to battle the Canadian winter. This story began on Drablr.

The List

An Advent Calendar of Stories

December 13 2014

The List

Janet Bunce

Angel Delight Cocktail

Not him’ she says.

‘Or them’ she says (with venom).

‘Must include her’ – an almost silent comment.

‘They have been amazing and he has been my rock.’

The scribe writes speedily as she studies the list.

‘When did I last see them?’ she fumes. ‘Take them off.’’

‘Where’s great-niece Angie?” she asks.

The scribe wipes his brow. This is a job he has done for many years but this one is proving difficult. Almost antagonistic! Not the time for that, he thinks.

He moves towards her and re-presents his card ‘Angels Incorporate – we look after your loved ones.’

About the Author

Janet is enjoying writing alongside her financial services directorship. She plans to make 2015 the year of the longer story!

Hot Date

An Advent Calendar of Stories

December 12 2014

Hot Date

Roger Noons

Pinot Noir

‘Your mother tells me you’re going out tonight?’

    ‘Yes, we’re going to see Lady Windermere’s Fan at the Theatre Royal.’

    ‘The man who’s taking you …’

    ‘Brian, yes?’

    ‘What’s he like?”

    ‘Usual, one head, a torso, two arms, two legs, although I’ve not actually seen his legs …’

    ‘That’s not what I meant …’

    ‘Dad, I’m thirty two.’

    ‘Yes, I know but … are his intentions … honourable?’

    ‘I bloody well hope not, otherwise I’ve wasted seventy quid on a revealing, fuchsia, silk top and another fifty on slinky, black pants.’

    ‘You’re surely not going to the theatre in trousers?’

About the Author

Roger Noons is a regular contributor to CafeLit and has delighted us with many of his stories. He is also included in the Best of series.

Three Wise Women

An Advent Calendar of Stories

December 11 2014

Three Wise Women

Janet Bunce

Poyo (palm wine)

Quietly and with a sisterly understanding they prepared for their journey.

It would take many days on foot to reach the mother and baby but they knew this was important.

They carried gifts to present to the baby in recognition of this birth.

Each with a special significance.

A crystal symbolising the healing process that had started.

A white dove to mark the peace and hope that now would be felt.

And an embroidered cloth with the Adinkra symbol, “Aya” for endurance.

All for this special girl. The first baby born in their old village since Ebola had been eradicated.

About the Author

Janet lives in Epping Forest with her husband and works in financial services. She has had 2 stories published in the Best of CaféLit 2013 and is hoping to build on this in 2015.

Companionship

An Advent Calendar of Stories

December 10 2014

Companionship

Tania Sharman

Madeira Wine

“What’s the day” he asked.

“Monday,” she replied, “Why don’t you pour a drink and join me on the veranda”. 

Charles wrote the day down on the piece of paper he was clutching. It was wonderful when Mabel visited, he had become muddled lately, and she made everything seem normal. He glanced at her photo on the mantelpiece. She was tired when that was taken, but now she looked radiant. They sat in companionable silence.

“I am going now,” said Mabel, “but I will come again tomorrow.” And she slowly disappeared back into the Spirit World from whence she came.

About the Author

Tania Sharman lives in Chingford in East London. She has always entertained the idea of writing a novel, but has always suffered with a ‘creative block’ as the whole process of coming up with an original idea, and then constructing a novel seemed overwhelming. After an inspiring conversation with a friend in a pub about the 100 word stories, she went home, fell asleep, and then woke up at 3am in the morning with the above story unfolding in her head. This is the first story that she has ever written and submitted.

Christmas Spirit

An Advent Calendar of Stories

December 09 2014

Christmas Spirit

James Leeder

Cold Turkey

Once, his head had been full of dreams. Hamlet. The West End. Hollywood! Now he sat in the back of a department store, strapping on padding. The hangover pounded behind his temples, and he belched as he forced down his breakfast aspirin. Two sunken bloodshot eyes peered blearily back from the washroom mirror as he adjusted his wig and beard.

Kids screaming, fighting, crying.

He could not face one more day.

He lifted the red coat, and a note fell out.

“Santa. Please make Mummy well again.”

He wiped a tear. Straightened up.

Today he would BE Santa again.

About the Author

James Leeder grew up in the North East of England but now lives in London. After many years of work he is now spending more time on writing fiction, and trying to learn the piano.

House on the Corner

An Advent Calendar of Stories

December 08 2014

 House on the Corner

Dorothy Mahoney

A thermos of hot chocolate

He hides everything in boxes stacked along the inside walls of the garage and the rafters.

There are no windows. Sometimes there are noises, banging.

The yard has a chain-link fence, and his two large dogs pace a mud path into what was once grass. He mutters. Isn’t one for talk. Doesn't have a wife, works alone. Waits for the cold. Waits for night, his thick fingers uncoiling wire, reviewing plans, considering space, adds a new body to his collection. Watches cars stop from every direction, in a blaze of Christmas lights: Peace, Love, Hope, and his new Santa waving.

About the Author

Dorothy Mahoney lives near the southern most point of Canada and has had two books published by Black Moss Press, and is in several anthologies.

She has a book of dog poems appearing in 2016 with Palimpsest Press. She has an old English sheepdog. This story began on Drablr.