Pounding his fist to pulpit, Joel was convinced that this time the congregation heard. Why oh why did they give him blank stares when he spoke the word of the Lord? He’d practiced time and again the infliction…”and the fire rose up, the devil swirled outta the smoke, grabbed every last one into the depths of hell fire to be lost forever for not beleivin’ in the everlastin’ truth“. He always remembered to drag out the word truth too because that is what folks wanted to hear, hinged their hopes on…’the trooth’!

Weary, Joel slipped behind the curtain. He kicked himself, yet again, for having no desire to face the questions from the congregation. Tonight he wanted to walk…walk off the weight on his shoulders, breath the crisp Fall air, try to get back to the way he felt…hmmm how had he felt before now? Would tonight’s walk finally bring him the answers? Joel pushed past those overt emotions, daddy’s voice in his head…”You stand strong boy or I’ll whip ya to make sure ya knows how!”

Childhood memories made Joel digress to hate…hating those memories made it even more painful for him. When he attempted to surface-talk about his feelings to his seminary advisor, Joel could tell by the downward turn of his eyes the advisor did not understand, probably blamed Joel for being that unruly child. It wasn’t until Chloe that Joel knew he’d met the one person in the world that knew, knew his heart’s pain. She realized he was good even though he was told time and time and time again that he wasn’t! Beautiful, childlike, loving Chloe.

Tonight Joel was finding his way down to the grassy spot by the river’s bank. Mid-way down the embankment Joel swore Chloe’s cinnamon scent wafted past. It was so subtle, should he shimmy to the top, to peek, look for her flowing blonde hair? Emotionally twisted, Joel decided to move on, find his way to the grassy patch by the part of the river that trickled over tiny rocks. A place that gave him serenity from the crazy noise, the noise that always rushed through his head.

Vibrantly green, cushy soft, that patch of grass welcomed Joel to settle in. As he laid back, heading into auto mode, Joel rose his hands to heaven, tears streamed quietly over his ears. The ears that had not heard real ‘trooth’ or Chloe’s lilting voice for…months, years decades. “Lord show me the way” his arms now spasms with pleading. “What am I to do Lord?” Silence. Time ticked. Impatience set in. Joel started to rise…

“It was not your fault Joel. please believe me!” Shaken…Was that Chloe? “You have to let go of your fists, open your hands to me!” Is that you…Chloe? ”Come with me darling…forever!” Chloe? “Yes…yes, yes, Joel!”

***

Celeste and Shaun tripped upon the grassy spot along the river, the moonlight reflected ghostly figures drifting off the river rocks…a cinnamon scent hung sweetly in the air! Shaun nuzzled closer, sincerely whispered in Celeste’s ear, “You were heaven sent, I love you!” Tears welled up, slowly they dropped down the side of her face, trailed over her ears onto the patch of green! Celeste knew in her heart Shaun spoke the truth!

Jackson plus Amber etched deep into that top beam! Flathead Bridge held memories.

A quarter mile before sailing into its curve Amber assuredly pressed her foot into the gas.

Surreal…Savior by Lights played…Jackson’s apparition stood mid-bridge…she swerved…quietly resigned!

Hissing steam…Amber dead silent. Dreams of being together forever realized…at last!

Slipping through the crowd unnoticed Breeann took the steps two at a time.

What would she do if…frozen, mid-thought, he swaggered into the courtroom.

Seconds an eternity. Not Guilty!! Gasps resounding in her ears!

Tortuously sliding middle finger down his cheek, across his lips…her heart cracked!

Breeann’s plan for Cranston set into motion!

Putting a spin on constructing this 55 word series, it’s moving along in reverse.

Her solemn vow…to never look back! Tears replaced with hard lines of determination.

Levi’s cabin on Old Mill Road for her dad’s souped up fishing boat sealed the deal!

Breeann already knew the bastard’s routine, she’d also perfected the timing.

Covered by darkness, decisive…slamming syringe to thigh…within seconds his body went limp!

The Series…
♥ Afflict!

Cranston never knew what hit him! Stirring, groggy…there she stood!

That bitch! He had beaten the charges!

Struggling against restraints, hell-bent on slapping that smirk off her face!

What was that taste in his mouth? Where was the blood coming from?

After pulling his lips apart to scream, his tongue plummeted to the floor!

Merry made it known, that fixer upper pissed her off.

Joel wanted to get it running, time and money made it next to impossible.

His lack of attention, those gnarly greased nails, eww!

Her fat butt, that dyed hair, gawd!

He cooked, she ate. Joel kept fingers crossed this sprinkling of arsenic would end it!

Through corners of rumpled curtain sunlight sneaked in. Ian’s want for darkness momentarily quelled.

Nuzzling his nose into the steamy cup of coffee flooded his brain…her, booze, moonlight, naked! Damn!

Promises about visiting the old haunts, broken!

Betting on the parole visit Ian leaned down, dragged her limp body into the hidden closet space.

Billie’s mind flashed white – suddenly chilled.  Remembering mama’s words, “Shush those thoughts, nothing good ever came of ‘em!”.

Pushing back panic she thought about Jake…how she missed him tonight!

Alone and tipsy, Billie tripped down the stairs…what was that searing pain?

Eyes fluttering closed, her last vision…crimson droplets on white nubuck shoes!

Justice sneaked down his fire escape into the darkened lot. Determined!

Hidden, Gisella watched from her window. Ideal!

Absorbed in ‘his’ moment, distant steps pricked his ears. Fierce!

Would he be given away with her writing? Focus!

At one fell swoop, Justice’s knife silenced another Mr. Confident. Forever!

Gisella set pen to paper, scribbling. Instigated!

In the  70′s hitchhiking was safe…until Ted.

Get me outta here! Misunderstood, not understanding!

Parents drummin’ their mission. Always their say…what they think.

Bye, bye. I ain’t takin’ their shit anymore. Hittin’ the road, not even two pennies to rub.

So what, it’s me, it’s the road, onto others that will love me!

Screech!

Hey you, I’m Ted…need a ride?

Wrinkling on his face, looking older than thirty years. Granted…secrets deepened the lines.

A good soul that made bad choices…in his mind.

After years, he still dug bloody dirt from under his fingernails. Strands of blond too!

His primal creature stirred…in the garage was the shovel…down the street was that brunette!

Boom!

Crash!

Sitting bolt upright, Salina damned the noise!! Awakening her from the best sleep in days.

Shit! Move!…her mind screamed! Legs shaking, voice frozen, her thoughts reeling!

Think…quit freaking out…then she heard distinct creaking from the stairs.

Salina pulled covers over her head, nothing except to wait for the killer!

Mee~ow!

Image Credit: Red Eyes Cat by dar9ely on Zazzle

Author…Not always is the first bite the sweetest!

Popped my first cherry today! Nary a bit of sweat. Weird! Because to niggle ‘round in this sweltering heat, dumb!

Worst part about the cherries…they blossom, strut, entice…what’s a guy to do? Sure timing is of the essence…forgive me my impatience.

Picked, plopped, popped, SOUR! Ahh! Patience is a virtue after all!

♥

His comrades were there backing him. That he knew!

How they were set up wasn’t militarily smart, although he didn’t have much say in the matter.

His bayonet aimed, target in sight! Waiting…ready, aim…fire! Landed square into the arch of the foot!

Struck! Confused! Why the hell was he flying across the room?!

Editor’s Note: I think Correen has become a full fledged 55 word flash fiction addict. Keep these gems coming!

It was spewing everywhere! She finagled it until it was at least controlled. Clients loved that magic, paid big time too!

Self Note: fix that damn wrist messing up an easy paying gig.

Certain she’d piss ‘him’ off, she grabbed for her arsenal of tools…convinced that plumbers wrench would stop the pipe from spurting!

Barely rousing from slumbered sleep it was my nose first detecting something wrong – had dreams trying to sail away!

Sleep rules…nodded back off…‘twas not long that the nose judged yet again…overruled hopes for more slumber.

Bleary eyed, tossing back covers for hot flashes, the shock hit me full on! I had farted!

♥

Image Credit: Disney Bambi Flower by disney on Zazzle

Pulling ‘round the bend at exactly ten a.m. he knew a meal was waiting,
his aching would soon end.

The missus had insisted on preparing home-cooked fare for his break at beans,
as he took the bucket from her hand he saw the beanery queen.

Blushing from the thought that flashed into his head,
he shh’ed the question straight away, gently kissed his wife’s forehead

Along The Milwaukee Road, he would rarely brake the train,
not on this turn though and not today.

The Avery Depot kept secrets held close to his heart and nary did a person know, least of all the girl who’d won his heart.

Tucked quaintly in the center of the bustling wooden frame,
the beanery’s scents and sounds drifted straight into his brain.

Gently swinging open the doors, not wanting to make a huge scene,
he cautiously scanned the room for his beloved beanery queen.

Standing behind the counter pouring coffee to a mug, his quick movements to get seated,
had her looking right up.

A puzzled look came across her face as she walked hurriedly towards his booth,
then smiles broke out on both their lips, she bent in for a kiss.

The room stood still, except outside you heard the train whistles blow,
the wife, the girl that stole his heart was the beanery queen on his new train route!

Finding the scene of the crime took hours. Bum knees…scattered holes dug by crazy ass dogs made her anxious about venturing too far.

Deep down notions of deserving flittered around. He was a real cock…always trying to test, show male bravado! Who really cared if he was dead?

Then…there was a cock-a-doodle-doo!

.

Image Credit: Day Of The Dead Sugar Skull by JinxProof on Zazzle

Rounding the corner, finding what she did, well let’s just say it was never expected.

“El Blimpo” echoes from the deepest reaches. Like looking down a dark hole, squinting the eyes to see if you can see! Suddenly a flash flying from the darkness the monster roars!

Shushing monsters, letting them flow outta the pen.

Image Credit: Broken Doll by popsurrealist on Zazzle

Spent. Her lavender oiled body spilling, his legs entwined. The crisp cottony sheets rumpled, tangled binding them together.

Moon drops of light sprinkle the room. Glistening bodies illuminated. Breathless sounds and motion exposed.

Kisses that whisper their secrets excite the sated moment. Tangling them closer.

Tranquil passion shattered seeing the toddler walk from the room.

Image credit: Passion and Pain by PaP_Designs on Zazzle