Short Stories

The gray clouds hanging heavily in the late summer sky mirrored Timmy’s feelings. He sat on the top step of the front porch of his house, shoulders slumped, chin in his hands, eyes downcast. Beside him lay Petey, slumped unceremoniously at his side.

Coming into the kitchen I yawned as I stared out the window. I’d had neither energy nor inclination to wash dishes last night, so I was faced with stacks of sticky plates and pots this morning. It was a warm, pleasant spring day. The tree just off the back deck was fully clothed in its leafy attire and the scent of lilacs from the side yard drifted in the open window. Sunshine filtered past the curtains creating rainbows on the soap bubbles in my sink. I popped one and a stream of soapy film shot into my eye. Reaching for a towel to wipe away the stinging liquid, I looked again outside and blinked. I thought I saw a bubble float past the window. I shrugged and resumed washing.

The sun peeking past the bedroom curtain woke me. I stretched and looked over at the clock—9 am, the 30th of February. Yawning, I wrestled my legs out from under the covers. I sat up with a start. I looked at the clock again. February 30th. What? I knew this was a leap year but that made it the 29th not the 30th. Besides, I clearly remember that yesterday was the 29th. I dismissed it as some electronic glitch with the clock.

It was washing day. Miriam walked outside carrying her large worn wicker basket full of freshly washed clothes. Setting the basket down on the ground, she grabbed the item on top and absently clipped it to the clothesline. Normally she enjoyed this job, especially taking down the dried clothes, scented with fresh sun-filled air. Today her mood was sober. Her two brothers had left their village over a month ago. She had received no word from them. They had gone to find Jesus. News of His many miracles had reached their tiny village and Thaddeus and Levi wanted to see these things for themselves

Gently the sun’s early morning rays peeked in the nursery window. Feeling the warmth on his face, Petey stretched sleepily and slowly opened his eyes. He looked up and saw the familiar figures of his mobile hanging above him. He spent some time wondering why they moved sometimes and not others.

Oreo was a stray cat. But he was very friendly. So friendly, in fact, that he had a number of houses that he called home.

Joshua and his family had recently moved into a new neighborhood. One day Joshua was in his back yard playing. He looked over toward the back fence and saw something move. He walked over to see what it was. It was a black and white cat.