Worthing Flash

            Twenty minutes into their first date, Lenny slowed the car at a yellow light, his foot patient on the brake.             “You could have made that light,” Sadie said from the passenger seat.             Lenny titled his head toward her. “Next time, use the gas pedal on that side.”             Sadie glanced down. “There is none.”             “That’s the point,” Lenny said.             Sadie casually slapped the back of her hand against his shoulder. “You,” she said.             When Lenny told that story at their fiftieth anniversary party, Sadie again said, “you.” But she didn’t slap his shoulder.             Progress. They just might be okay after all. John Sheirer John Sheirer is an author and teacher from Massachusetts, USA. His latest book, “Stumbling Through Adulthood: Linked Stories,” won a Pinnacle Book Achievement Award and a New England Book Festival Award. Find him at JohnSheirer.com. 

The line went dead; the call had been curt and to the point. “Sue you are not welcome at Ann’s funeral; please stay away.” But it was not unexpected; her family had always disapproved of our relationship in general and of me in particular. They regarded me as an evil influence who had led Ann astray from a properly ordered life into a world of shame and decadence. As result they rarely came to our home and so Ann would go to see them. I thought back three days when I was sitting by her bedside and holding her hand at the hospice when they came in. They gave me a venomous look and I knew they would dearly have loved to order me out but they had no authority to do so. They sat down as well but they ignored me. After a few mins I could not take it any longer; I got up and to their horror kissed her on the forehead. “Ann I’ll pop back very soon” and left the room. I went back to the car and sat down to read my book. Luckily, I could see the entrance very easily and so kept a watchful eye

It all started with the ring. Not the ring Radney gave Roshelle over lasagna in candlelight ten years ago in September. Nor the gold band he gave her a year later. But the wrestling ring he built in back of their split-level ranch home with blue shutters and salmon brick in Montgomery, Alabama. Radney wanted to be a professional wrestler since he first saw Hulk Hogan with a blond mane and protruding pecs glistening on TV. Roshelle wanted Radney to be one too. When she was a kid, her dad used to take her to the armory every other Saturday to sit on the front row and watch grown men in speedos pin each other to a bouncy floor. Their sweat soaked her red dress, cotton sticking to her legs. “How’s that for a good show,” her dad always said as they walked into the night, the air chilling her wet skin. When Radney announced he was going to build the ring, Roshelle was elated, absolutely over the moon, hugging and kissing him as if it were their wedding night. They hauled posts and ply

My favourite birthday presents at age seven were a magnifying glass and a globe so big I could barely reach around it. I imagined scaling those bumpy peaks beneath my fingertips. As the birthday party wound down, my grandfather hobbled over.             “Can you find where we are?” he asked.             Grampa trained the magnifying glass on the spot where I held my finger. “             Ah-ha!” he said.             “What?” I asked, my head bumping his as we squinted through the magnifier.             He laughed. “I think you found the first place I twisted my ankle running the mountains when I was your age.” John Sheirer John Sheirer is an author and teacher from Massachusetts, USA. His latest book, “Stumbling Through Adulthood: Linked Stories,” won a Pinnacle Book Achievement Award and a New England Book Festival Award. Find him at JohnSheirer.com. 

By RAJAN V KOKKURI The Nagarkovil Express left Bangalore City later than usual. The atmosphere was cold due to rain and wind. Maria took her seat well in advance and it was comfortable since the train was commencing from the Bangalore City. Maria enjoyed her work in a smaller township in the outskirts of Bangalore and was heading to her native village in Kerala to take up the job of Postmaster. The train was about to reach Cantonment Station in Bangalore. Because the bogie was outside the platform area, an elderly lady was having difficulty getting inside the compartment. While returning from the restroom, Maria had a glance around. Maria extended her hand to an elderly lady after noticing her situation. The elderly lady was having difficulty carrying her luggage. Maria helped her carry her big bag to the designated seat on the ticket. The seat was just across from Maria's seat. Maria assisted with the storage of the bags on the upper berth and advised the lady

"Please sit down. You are obliged to answer our questions. This is an official enquiry. Could you give your name please." "Petronella Feudal -Baron. I take it this isn't going to be a lengthy session. I have a mascara wand to pick up from Harvey Nicks." "We'd be grateful if you could just tell us exactly what happened in the garden at 10 Greening Street, on the date in question." "Happy to. Fuss about nothing. The idea that a little get together during a panic about some fictional germ warfare attack is the subject of an inquiry is absolutely ludicrous." "Just what happened, please, Miss Feudal- Baron. Opinions aren't necessary. I want to remind you that on the date in question, it was forbidden to gather either indoors or outdoors, for any social purposes whatsoever. This was a government mandate in response  to the serious threat posed by the situation. I'm sure that I don't need to remind you that people cou