Nobody talks at dinner; their heads are down, staring at devices in their hands. The other hands hold utensils, and they work in motion from the plates to the mouths, making occasional noises. I bring a spoonful of the tomato bisque to my lips, “I miss the old times,” muttering under my breath. All heads at the table turn in my direction. I quickly cover … Continue reading order
“Donate those. Throw that away.” She categorizes the items that her daughter brings from the closet one by one. “You sure you wanna do this now?” “Yes. Let’s continue, shall we?” Her daughter sighs and picks the next item. “Ah, the pink dress…” Her pale, thin face softens. “I wore that for the event… How many years ago?” Her daughter says nothing. “I thought I … Continue reading her hero
She stirs the pot, scrunches her nose at the smell of garlic and herbs, and mops the sweat dripping down her neck. A sudden clinking sound of bottles behind startles her, but she keeps her eyes on the pot. Her hands shake a little, more sweat breaks out. The braids of her hair tremble. The clinking bottles move away, out of the kitchen, down the … Continue reading what’s cooking
“I’ll wait for you till you return,” she said. Everything was postponed, and I went off to fight. We never found a cure for the disease, and I heard it reached her shore. For Three Line Tales 236. photo by V Hui Continue reading aloha ‘oe
Tim tries to open his eyes and flinches. “You’re gonna make it, buddy.” Who’s that? Tim tries to move and realizes he can’t. “You’re all strapped in and immobile,” the unfamiliar voice seems to be talking to him, “You were in an accident.” Accident? Tim tries to remember what happened. He was driving. He had borrowed Dad’s car. Tim moves his eyeballs and sees he’s … Continue reading precious cargo
“Hey, you…” “Hey. Let me adjust my screen so we can see better… Okay. Sorry to keep you waiting.” “Another long day, huh? You, the essential worker. We thank you.” “Haha. I just wish the things get calmed down a bit. Instead of worse.” “Yeah…” “And I miss you. It’s been a while since I last saw you in person. How are you?” “Let’s see… … Continue reading video chat
I knew it was coming, but this soon? TV, SNS, and the papers are talking about the alarming discovery. What do I do now? I take the box out of the closet, carefully open, and remove the contents. Keys, a towel, a knife. All familiar. A pang in my chest. At the bottom, I find the answer. It has always been there, in the … Continue reading a package deal
Through the kitchen window, my eyes glance over the backyard. The fence needs a fresh coat of paint. The lawn needs to be mowed. I lean against the cold laminate counter, keeping my eyes outward. My fingers dripping water. I need to get out of here. My gaze focuses on the limited view beyond the faded fence. Cars whipping by. People talking on the phone. … Continue reading suspense
Stillness and darkness are among us, and I can only see his bowed head held by the palm of his hand. I know he’s alive because I can see the blood vessels on his knuckles, shone by the moonlight leaking in from the windows. The sound of banging explodes, and I crawl to the corner. With my trembling hands tightly against my chest, I curl … Continue reading the king and i
“It’s easy for you to say. You can fly and be free. I can’t. I’m stuck in here, immobile, attached to the ground.” Of course, you can. Just shake off the parts that are holding you down. “I can’t.” Yes, you can. Come on. We’ll help you. Hold on to our legs. “I have no arms or hands.” Strain hard. “I can’t.” Just try. “Hup. … Continue reading pop
