The Red Ribbon (rough draft)
Glistening with sweat, Stephanie shook her mane of thick blonde hair back and forth in time with the music. As she parted overinflated glossy lips, a flawless veneered smile flashed at the man across from her. He moved in, sliding his hands around her slim waist, whispering loudly into her ear against the noise of…
Pagona
Light streaming through an opening in the curtain disturbs my slumber. I crack one eye halfway open. Closing it again, I slowly lift my head. Momentarily, I open both eyes half way. Stretching my upper body into an upward arch, after a pause, I immediately lay back down, allowing one arm to dangle off the…
Lost in Translation
Veronica was a very cool chick. She managed to make juggling a high-pressure PR job in cosmetics alongside a packed social life look effortless. Her jet-black hair was always perfectly cropped with a fringe of bangs that grazed her kohl rimmed hazel eyes. She was into music, and going to see bands play was her…
Isle of Women
Ross was an internationally renowned nature photographer and world traveler. Well into his 70’s, he was a strikingly handsome man with thick silver curly hair that cascaded into a long mane, framing his deeply tanned and weathered face. Flecks of crystal blue and green danced in his eyes. It was as though all of the…
Suburban Cowboy
Late September. Perfect riding weather. The piercing cry of a low flying crow, underscored with a chorus of dry leaves rustling in the wind, roused Dennis from his deep slumber. Eyes closed, he smiled, deeply inhaling the crisp early morning air. With fall swiftly approaching, there wouldn’t be many more days like this. Opportunities to get…
Goldie and Olive
The temperature dropped as the sun began to set. On the tip top of the highest branch sat Goldie, a petite, slim, bright yellow and black goldfinch. This particular spot was his favorite place to perch when making important calls. He sang out at the top of his tiny lungs. His song was on repeat…
Gateway
Her inner dialogue vacilated back and forth between “present moment mantras”, and pleading with the universe to set her free. She liked to say that she was waiting for her alien to come and take her away from this place called earth.
It’s A Wash
The interior of her car was a virtual trash bin. Empty coffee cups, crumpled receipts, and dry leaves littered the floor. Dog fur was embedded in the passenger seat. The dashboard was covered with dust, and the steering wheel felt sticky. No more procrastination. It was time to get a car wash. The same must…
Soul-Tell
It was late afternoon, and a gentle humid breeze wafted across the empty parking lot. Jenny and her sister Selena raced their hot pink plastic rolling suitcases towards room number 17. Selena, being the smaller of the twins, had to use both hands to lug her shiny case up onto the curb. Jenny screamed with…
Puffin Love
A STILL SHOT FILLS THE TV SCREEN. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, IT’S EASY TO IDENTIFY A ROCK LEDGE ON A CLIFF. THE LOUD CRASH OF A WAVE FROM BELOW, AND SLOW MOVEMENT OF A CLOUD, REVEAL THAT THIS IS A LIVE CAM. A SEAGULL SOARS DOWN AND MAKES AN AWKWARD LANDING ON THE UNEVEN SURFACE. SHE…
Trader Joe’s Gigolo – Narration
Narration of one of my short stories, using GarageBand. (images are not mine – they are simply “place holders” until I create my own) I’d love to hear your feedback! xo
The Clog – Narration
Not in the mood to read? Here’s an “Audio-Visual” story I’m working on. Images are “placeholders”, but the story, voiceover, and effects are mine.
A kiss is just a kiss
“You must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss…” Do you remember your first kiss? I do. I was about 12, and it happened under the stairs in middle school. It was very awkward and involved braces, bumping eye glasses and noses. First Kiss. French Kiss Kiss of Death. Kiss Goodbye.
Divine Inspiration
She preferred fantasy to reality. The modern world bored her to tears. Marguerite was a Parisian girl at heart. Growing up in a run down midwestern town, she had always gravitated to all things French. She’d spent hours and hours at the local library, devouring French culture, history and fashion. At thirteen, she began styling…
The Clog
You might call this entry a “Fantasy”, but I like to call it a “Feel Good” story. Either way, it’s a mini escape, and perhaps a bit of “food for thought”. Enjoy, xxoo. They had always had access; access was easy. It had been a not-so-secret secret for decades. The tunnels were intricate, yet direct.…
Va Via!
I had forgotten about the DNA test for so many years, that by the time my nephew contacted me wanting to know the details for a paper he was working on, the password needed to be retrieved. After a few frustrating attempts, and denied access, magically the page opened, and a full inbox stared at me.…
Damaged
This story is ultra personal. It is a small event which changed the course of my life. I didn’t tell anyone until years later. I’m not one to “overshare”, however in light of recent events, I feel it’s warranted. With all of the clamor regarding old testimonies from “never mentioned” crimes, it’s easier to…
Hairowin (rough draft)
Her mother tugged harder than ever, smoothing back Chevon’s deep brunette hair with a fine toothed metal comb, into a high elegant chignon. The small child squirmed in the hard chair, impatient after more than 2 hours of primping. “Stay still”, boomed her mother’s voice over her head, echoing off the grey marble flooring of…
XL Magnum PI
Time to jump on the Merry-Go-Round. Swipe, pause, swipe, nanosecond pause, and on and on it goes, until at some point, someone has that special something that catches your attention. Intuitive, perhaps. Instinct, maybe. False advertising, definitely. Look at this one, hmmm, no, next….oooh, look at that one.. I wonder why all of the pics…
Waves
I’m falling deeper into the abyss Drowning out loud I can’t swim anymore Letting go and giving up I’m tired of battling the current Let the waves take me away
Liquidation
Gently pushing antique wire framed eyeglasses up the narrow bridge of his nose, Leonard inhaled deeply as he scoured the online estate sale listings. Selecting only the most upscale of neighborhoods, he perused photos of items until he found gold. Not just any gold, but liquid gold. Vintage liquor cabinets, bar carts, or wine cellars.…
Click
The sudden screeching of tires followed by an explosive crash caught him off guard as he was headed towards his parked car. Swiftly spinning around towards the street, he saw the shiny black Maserati crushed up against a lamp-post. Smoke drifted upwards from the smoldering scene. He watched as the door opened and a single shiny…
The Dame of Del Ray
With it’s massive crumbling and weathered façade, the grand old Del Ray Hotel had managed to retain a captivating and regal quality. Once inside, gilded details glimmered from behind layers of peeling paint, providing a glimpse into the glamorous past of this fading beauty. Precariously positioned on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the vast…
Kept
Joey had been living his life as a kept man, and a gigolo on the side. It’s not something he planned on. It just sort of happened. Well, it happened the day he met Delores. She was a bawdy customer at the bar where he worked the closing shift. One night, like so many others,…
Spirit
The seasons were all cold, with one far colder than all the rest. Just as the ice finally turned to water, there was only a short period of time before it began to freeze over once more. It was a cruel cycle, but the people had acclimated. They relocated here following the last attack. The…
Samsara Yoga Retreat
Deeply inhaling the briny air, Sylvia extended her tanned sinewy arms towards the ominous skies above. Thunderous waves crashed below, a thick mist of sea spray drifted upward, momentarily obscuring everything in sight. As the air cleared, a small circle of standing figures appeared. They held up long white chiffon scarves, which billowed violently in the…
The Kiddie Pool
Mid July in the late 70’s. The family of four stood in the driveway of a run-down looking two family house, as they watched a giant moving truck slowly back out into the street. Tears welled up in the older daughter’s eyes. The younger child grabbed onto to her mother’s long linen skirt. She looked…
Chameleon
Silently, I sit. Eternally waiting for something, or someone, to happen. My thick-skinned, firm body, rests motionless. Self control is my strength. I move one eye, then the other. Nothing. Nobody. I am alone. Time passes, as it always does. Finally, I sense movement. A tiny leave shivers, ever so slightly. I dart an eye…
Jamaican Flute
A fine mist of drizzle dampens my forehead and brow. My locks are activated by the humidity and I can feel them rising up in protest. I breathe in the sweet wet air, blended with exhaust from cars entering and exiting the parking lot. Stepping up onto the curb, I find my favorite spot under…
Floating Down
Light fades, Shadows move Silently I fall slow motion Deeper into the abyss A cavernous void, infinite chasm Weightless no sound I continue down Into the otherworld Never landing Floating down forever
Tethered
Tethered to the past Tethered to the now Tethered to the future I don’t know how To disconnect, change course, shift focus To become untethered.
Velvet Toast
The gold foil tipped cigarette, stained with lipstick, smoldered in an overflowing ashtray. Soft blonde waves of hair cascaded across her face as she softly fell back into the burgundy velour sofa, which swiftly enveloped her small frame. Slender stocking encased legs shimmered in the candle light. One metallic sandal lay discarded on the persian rug,…
Somnia
Leaping high, legs extended, I land gracefully. Effortlessly. My body is a machine. Upon landing, I fold gently, rolling to the floor. Lean, limber and flexible, I fall smoothly into a split, exiting seamlessly. Choreographing as I go, I move with utter fluidity across the vast empty dance studio. I am free. My body is…
CVS Psychic
Hair dye, nail polish, crazy glue, birthday card and gum. I repeat these words over and over in my head like a mantra. Don’t want to forget anything. Without a list, I know I’ll wind up with a basket full of makeup I don’t need, along with random things like tiny stuffed teddy bears and…
Mythical
Simple Definition of mythical : based on or described in a myth : existing only in the imagination He stood 6’3″. A large man, cutting a figure with his flaming toupee billowing in the wind. He carried himself as though always on camera, in part because he had spent a lot of time in front…
Down
When you’re down , You don’t see up Pressure holds me, Indecision molds me Do something, yet I do nothing.
Tarnished
Oh my tarnished heart Do you remember when you were shiny and new? Before the reality of life set in When nature was all you saw and you believed in kindness Before tv and pollution contaminated everything good When you were just perfect for being you Before they told you what you needed to be…
28 Doves and a Beer
Did I hear that right? I asked myself. Doves? No, I must have misunderstood what he was saying. Wait. He did say it. Doves. He said doves. He, being a right wing conservative, spewing opinions into the atmosphere, infused with hatred and insecurities. The rage is so palpable, I can taste it. A toxic…
Exit Plan
Living in the moment is a very lovely sentiment. There’s a lot to be said for being present. However, it never hurts to plan ahead. A bit of strategic thinking is often a wise idea. Otherwise, it can easily happen that you wind up facing retirement at warp speed, without an exit plan. Visions of…
Flames
Fire in my heart, fire in my soul. The fire might go dim, damp, or diminish, but the embers glow. Embers stoked with love and hope, never hate or fear. From these embers, a spark can fly. From that spark, a flame can rise. From that flame, a firestorm. I’m burning up inside. via Daily…
Bad Vibrations
Today is November 8, 2016. Election Day. I haven’t been sleeping well for weeks. Tossing and turning, I feel the negativity spinning out of control. Trump has brought to the surface everything ugly about this country. Angry racists, bigots and misogynists…..to all of these, he has given license to hate. “Make America Great Again”…should really be…
Trader Joe’s Gigolo
Ever since he could remember, women had fawned over him. He was a real head turner, and he knew it. The ladies loved him, and he loved them back. Again, and again. And, again. Years passed. He fancied himself a player for life. Love ’em, and leave ’em was his motto. Even if it meant…
Winter Wanderland
Philadelphia. Circa 1989. Mid-January. Massive mounds of filthy, encrusted snow lined the slick streets. The air was numbingly cold. Valerie wished she had worn an extra pair of socks. Her feet were starting to feel the burn of the cold by now. Heading into the frigid wind, she pushed her thick scarf up over her…
Calzones
Rene had just turned 18, and was living on her own in Boston sharing a grimy one bedroom apartment with a mentally unstable roommate, but that’s another story altogether. It was the early 80’s, and although some people might have been benefiting from Reaganomics, Rene and her friends were definitely on the other end of…
Taco Bell Two Hundred
It was a sweltering summer afternoon, deep in the San Fernando Valley. Shauna stopped at the light, looking in the mirror to check her makeup. She swiftly applied some more lip-gloss and pulled her oversized sunglasses down to cover her heavily made up eyes. The traffic light turned green, and she continued north along the…
Flat Stanley
When she described him as a “Flat Stanley”, she referred to him as a cardboard cutout kind of a guy. Two dimensional, and quite predictable. Basically an unequivocal bore. Which, actually does fit within the Urban Dictionary definition. Flat Stanley – One who lacks size in the boob/butt region, and therefore appears paper-thin from a side…
Dust
Everyone has one. No, not the one who got away. The one we wish we never met. The one we love to hate and hate to love. Until the spell breaks. And it all turns to dust. Amen.
Dirty Mattress
Christmas 2015. Another holiday season in full swing. This year I found myself alone in LA on a shoestring budget. A recent catastrophic breakup had left me in a bad way, both emotionally & financially. Operating on autopilot, I felt I had hit an all time low. A last minute call to cater a private…
Cloaked in Mystery
Cloaked in mystery, the orchid mantis sits. Still, so still. She waits. Patience is her virtue. She is beautiful, yet discreet. Barely visible. Behind her camouflage she hides. She’s become what she needs to be in order to survive. She is a small miracle, yet a machine. She operates in stealth mode. Cloaked in her…
Little Genie
Paris, 1921. After midnight. An icy bone chilling rain fell relentlessly. Her soaked satin dress clung to her skin as she ran as fast as she could. Tearing around a corner, down a dark slippery alley, her heel got caught in a cobblestone twisting her ankle. She had taken the turn too fast. Sliding down…
Shadow Life
Feathers of light and dark blend, separate and reconnect once again. Without light, there could be no shadow. Without sun, no moon. No longer embattled, I am embracing it all.
A Brush with Destiny
A brush with destiny…Is it destiny? We are each born unique individuals, which in itself is an absolute miracle. We share DNA with family members, but none of us is the same as another human being. Not now, not ever before, and never again will there be another you. Think about it. Incredible. Even with…
Lost Art of Mystery 