Flash, Micro Story

RDP Wednesday: pass

Today at RDP, we are asked to share a
story, poem, photo, painting, essay, etc.,

focusing on the word β€˜pass’. Here’s my take.

Continue reading “RDP Wednesday: pass”
Flash, Micro Story

Norma Jeane

Written for Shweta’s Saturday Six Word Story
Prompt #154
– including the word β€˜moment’.
Here’s where the prompt word took me.

Continue reading “Norma Jeane”
Flash

Stylin’ and Profilin’

Shweta is our host for Saturday Six Word Challenge (6WSP) #124.
This week’s prompt word is β€œpride”. Here is my 6 word story.

Continue reading “Stylin’ and Profilin’”
Short Story

Peppermint Twist

This is a little piece I wrote a few years ago
for Christmas Eve. Some of you read it back
then. I reworked it for New Year’s Eve and I
like it better than the original. Hope you do, too.

Continue reading “Peppermint Twist”
Flash

Santa Baby

Shweta is our host for the Saturday Six Word Challenge – #116.
This week’s prompt word is β€œblind”. I thought this image from Kevin

at No Theme Thursday worked quite well. This is my 6 word story.

Continue reading “Santa Baby”
Short Story

A Long Hot Soak

Written for Wordle #679,
using the 12 prompts below.
Here is my story.

sighs ・ fire ・ flip ・ ravaged ・ blue ・ floor ・
emerge ・ masks ・ ashes ・  soak ・ skin ・ weave

Continue reading “A Long Hot Soak”
Quadrille

Cigarettes and Black Lipstick

Written for dVerse Quadrille #210
where the theme is “Let There Be Light”.
This is my quadrille.

Β© Pinterest

β€œLight me, handsome” was all she said.

I looked up from my drink. She was the most gorgeous dame I’d ever laid eyes on. I lit her cigarette, then mine.

β€œCare to buy me a steak, handsome?”

β€œBaby, I’d buy you the whole cow.”

NARΒ©2024
44 Words

This is β€œCigarettes and Black Lipstick” by Brake

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

Short Story

Rubbernecking

Written for The Unicorn Challenge where we are
asked to get creative in 250 words or less using
the photo below as inspiration. This is my story.

Β© Ayr/Gray


β€œHey, Daryl! Phil! Get a load of this!” neighed Ed as he stared over Bess and Elsie’s fence onto the country road. β€œDo they really think they’re capable of running? On two legs?? If that don’t beat all!”

β€œWhat the heck are they doing?” asked Daryl.

β€œThey’re jogging; humans run around all bandy-legged with arms flailing, getting sweaty, going nowhere in particular and looking pretty dumb while doing it.” Ed explained.

Phil trotted over. β€œYeah. I read about these idiots in β€˜Horse Beautiful’. It’s some kind of craze, far as I can tell …. some sort of asinine exercise routine.”

β€œWhoa, whoa, whoa! Look at what we got coming this way, gentlemen. Now that’s some fine-looking little filly!” exclaimed Ed.

β€œCheck out those tiny shorts she’s wearing. She can ride me bareback any time she wants!” Phil declared.

β€œMan, now that’s one stacked number! I could watch her jog and bounce around all day!” Daryl smacked his lips.

β€œHey! What are you three stud farm rejects doing all this way from the barn?” It was Barkley, the yellow lab who lived on the ranch. β€œFarmer Brown’s gonna have a cow if he hears you jumped the fence again! Best get yourselves back home before someone notices you’re gone. C’mon! Giddy-up, boys!”

β€œBuzz kill!” snorted Ed and the trio took off.

β€œBunch of jackasses!” Barkley yowled indignantly. β€œWell, good riddance to them and woof to you, my sexy lady. You jog by here often? Have I got a bone for you!”

NARΒ©2024
250 Words

This is “Who’s That Lady” by the Isley Brothers

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

Poem, Quadrille

In A Groove

Written for dVerse Poets Quadrille #207 Spin Cycle

Hold my hand, honey
and take me for a spin
Twirl me β€˜round the dance floor
I’m loving the spin I’m in

Whisper those sweet nothings, baby
send shivers up my spine
and make my head spin, lover
tonight I’m gonna make you mine

NARΒ©2024
44 Words

This is β€œThat Old Black Magic”  by Louis Prima and Keely Smith, the Heppest of the Hep!


All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

Short Story

The Caper: A Six

Written for Six Sentence Story where we are
challenged to incorporate the prompt word β€œmove”
into a story of exactly six sentences. Here’s my six.

He looked real good so I made my move and walked right up to him, kissing him long and hard on the lips. He pulled me close, groaning as his hands slid up my dress and I could tell he was more than happy to see me, if you get my drift.

β€œListen, baby”, he said sotto voce, β€œI had a nice gig dealing at a casino up in Buffalo and I made some serious moola running a fool-proof scam; I’m dealing here tonight so if you and me were to double up, we could make a killing.”

It sounded dangerous and exciting. I nibbled his ear and reached between his legs, giving him an approving squeeze, and whispered β€œI’m in”.

β€œWork first, then I’ll show you how much I missed you” he promised as I knocked on the door; the peephole opened and immediately slid closed, then the door cracked an inch and we were quickly ushered into a back room heavy with the scent of leather, cigars and money.

NARΒ©2024

This is β€œRags To Riches” by Bony Bennett

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

Haibun

Moonspell: A Haibun

Written for Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie Photo Challenge #513,
Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge (orange), Moonwashed Weekly
Prompt
(hazy moon) & Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge (regret)

Image Credit Sarah Whiley

I was lost, a bit frightened and filled with regret for not making a note of the address. A hazy moon began to make her appearance in the evening sky, leaving the tiny Palermo street awash in a warm orange glow. Squinting in the darkness, I saw what appeared to be a tunnel at the end of the street; there was no way I was going to walk into the black unknown. Slowly I inched closer and discovered the tunnel was actually a stairway. Just as I quickened my pace, an arm shot out of a hidden doorway and pulled me inside, pinning me against a wall. A deep voice I knew intimately whispered in honeyed Sicilian tones “PicchΓ¬ ci haiu misu tantu tempu, amuri miu? Ti vogghiu beni!”ΒΊ Passionate kisses drifted down my neck. Breathless, I murmured “I’m here now, my love. Show me.”

Kiss me now, my love,
In the warm glow of the moon
You possess my heart

NARΒ©2024

ΒΊWhat took you so long, my love? I am burning for you.”

This is the Flamingos with β€œI Only Have Eyes For You”

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

Short Story

Angel Eyes

Written for The Unicorn Challenge
where we are asked to be creative in 250 words or less,
using this photo as our inspiration. Here is my story.

Β© Ayr/Gray

It was Friday night and my paycheck was burning a hole in my pocket. As it turns out, my on again/off again boyfriend, Jagger, was off again so I was free as the proverbial bird. Just as well; I was getting tired of the slouch anyway. But it was New Year’s Eve 1946 and I didn’t want to be alone.

Anxious to hit the tables and ring in the new year, I got myself all dolled up in an outfit that was quite possibly illegal in 33 states – a lowcut slinky little black number with a high side slit, silk stockings with lacy garters and red satin stilettos. Maybe I’d run into a high roller ready, willing and monetarily able to treat me to a bourbon, a thick juicy steak and a slice of pie a la mode.

I grabbed a taxi to the casino, the driver giving me the once-over in the rearview. I wasn’t interested in any two-bit palooka so I played it cool. Averting my eyes, I glanced out the window, snuggled deeper into my fur coat and lit a Chesterfield. The smoke encircled my head and my bright red lipstick left a perfect kiss around the filter.Β 

When we arrived, I tossed a fiver at the cabbie and stepped out onto the sidewalk. The staccato of my heels alerted the man in black .… Special Agent Sam Bishop.

β€œEvening, Candace. You’re looking angelic, if you don’t mind my saying. I don’t suppose you’ve heard from Jagger.”

NARΒ©2024
250 Words

This is Kenny Burrell with β€œAngel Eyes”

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Anticipation: Dectina Refrain

Written for Quadrille Monday dVerse Poets Pub; De Jackson is
asking us to create a 44-word poem using the word β€œFriday”.

My poem is a Dectina Refrain:
1st line is 1 syllable, 2nd line is 2 syllables
3rd line is 3 syllables, and so on for 9 lines;
the 10th line is comprised of the first four lines

as one stand-alone sentence.

Our
Friday
night dinner
we wait all week
to sit on the couch
and eat sexy pizza
with cheese like hot melted love,
gooey and deliciously good,
and we drink tall glasses of red wine.
Our Friday night dinner we wait all week

NARΒ©2024
44 Words
#TGIF

This is “Makin’ Whoopee” by Dr. John and Rickie Lee Jones

All text, graphics and videosΒ are copyrightΒ for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s TrunkΒ andΒ The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

Uncategorized

ONE FOR THE ROAD

We were driving down iconic Route 66 in our convertible Volkswagen Jetta on our way from Chicago to Santa Monica, California, everything we owned being towed in a small rented U-Haul. In the backseat on the floor behind us, sleeping in his carrying case, was our bulldog puppy, Ringo. 

We’d been on the same stretch of road without seeing another soul for what seemed like an eternity – nothing but miles of tall corn and wheat fields swaying in the breeze. We talked about everything, especially opening our new veterinary practice – a huge step in our professional lives but one we were ready for. Our real estate agent sent us photos of our new office with the name boldly printed in black lettering on a light grey awning: Peterson’s Planned PetHood. πŸˆβ€β¬›

Rummaging through the glove box looking for a snack bar, I came across The Beatles White Album. β€œHey, look what I found” I said, showing the CD to my husband, Doc. 

β€œExcellent! Put it on, Babe.”

Opening the case, I discovered a long-forgotten joint, crushed but still viable. β€œWhoa! Check it out. This CD comes with a bonus track!”  

We lit up, the stale weed snapping and popping as it burned. Even the smallest of tokes resulted in fits of coughing but we still got a decent buzz on. The CD was an incredible find; with each mile down the road we got a little bit higher and a little bit louder singing along to the tunes.

And then there it was – the unmistakable intro of funky get-down guitar slaps and drum beats leading into β€˜Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?’. We were grooving in our seats, thumping on the car doors, digging the hell out of that song.

Doc pulled the car over onto the shoulder. Lowering his sunglasses down his nose, he looked at me seductively and started singing β€œNo one will be watching us, why don’t we do it in the road?”  

β€œHave you lost your mind? What are you … some horny teenager?” 

β€œWell, you’re half right, I’ll give ya that. Here we sit … a hot banging Beatles song playing, my incredibly sexy wife in a miniskirt and plenty of road. Listen. Paul’s practically begging us to get out of this car and do it IN THE ROAD!”

“Your know, we can get plenty cozy right here IN the car” I suggested, slowly stretching my legs on the dashboard.Β 

Doc laughed and leaned over to kiss me, whispering β€œWe’ve done it IN the car … a lot. C’mon, Becca!Β Β Let’s get down [*kiss*]Β and dirtyΒ [*kiss*]Β and do it in the roadΒ [*long hot kiss*].Β 

It didn’t take much for me and doc to turn each other on. Pushing the β€˜REPEAT’ button on the CD player, he grabbed a blanket from the back seat and we ran to the rear of the car. Laughing, I wriggled out of my panties and wrapped my legs around Doc’s waist as we eased ourselves to the ground. 

Just as Paul let loose with the high note, we heard an “Ahem” and froze. Glancing sideways, we saw the shiniest pair of black boots standing two feet from our car. A man’s voice said ”Pardon me, folks. Trooper Matthew Blake, Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Just as soon as you’re finished checking that tow hitch, I suggest you best be on your way.” And he walked back to his patrol car humming β€œWhy Don’t We Do It In The Road?”.

As he drove by our car, Trooper Blake gave us two short beeps of his horn. We sheepishly got back into our car and continued our journey to Santa Monica. What a lovely little rest stop that had been!

After a few months living in our new digs, doing some online research and making a few calls, I finally discovered the address for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol location of Trooper Matthew Blake. I prepared a small mailing box with a shiny new pair of Ray-Bans and a mini photo of our infant son. A small card read:

One For the Road”
Gratefully ~ Doc, Becca and Matthew Blake Peterson
πŸ•ΆοΈ

I smiled imagining what that trooper’s reaction would be when he read our son’s name.

NAR Β© 2023

Please join me today
for another segment of
At The Movies.
There will be music!
https://rhythmsection.blog/

Uncategorized

FRENCH KISSING LIFE

There is a place somewhere called Paris
And I’m going there on vacation today;
A city where every useless worry or care is
Forgotten and carelessly tossed away.

I don’t need to see the Eiffel Tower
Or pray at CathΓ©drale Notre-Dame.
I’d happily pick a delicate wildflower
Or caress a charming man’s arm.

I’d love to stroll through PΓ©re Lachaise,
Have a chat at the grave of Jim Morrison.
I’d play him some tunes like Jimi’s β€œPurple Haze’’,
Just dishing the dirt with that sexy rapscallion.

You won’t catch me near the Seine for dinner;
Much too highbrow and touristy for me.
Seat me at a bar with the saint or the sinner;
We’ll close the place down at quarter past three.

Mona Lisa is enigmatic in a gilt frame so fine
But the thought of the Louvre is a total bore.
I’d rather be laughing in a park drinking wine
Or sharing a smoke on a bench with a whore.

I’ve got nothing to hide; it’s far from a secret:
When it comes to Parisian men I’m a big flirt.
The playboys in the square whisper β€œCome, be my pet”
And I purr β€œOui, oui, mon cheri! Who will it hurt?”

There is a place somewhere called Paris
And I’m going there on vacation today.
I’ll give life a sultry lingering French kiss;
When I’m in Paris I like to do things my way.

NAR Β© 2021