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Thank you so, so much to the five thousand of you that follow this blog. It makes me so happy to put some love into the world.

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Prom night, and a taxi cab pulled up

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Recent Inactivity

I’ve recently been quite inactive due to me dealing with a few things in real life, like trying to balance school and personal issues. I’ve fallen behind on my writing, and I could write excuse after excuse for it, but I’m just going to come out and say that I’ve been lazy. I don’t want to lie to anyone reading this, so that’s the truth, besides personal life obstacles. I’ll probably be writing soon, but I’ve also been considering working on my novel, which could find its way onto this blog, but might not. We’ll see what the future holds.

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Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion, it is not the desire to mate every second minute of the day, it is not lying awake at night imagining that he is kissing every cranny of your body. No, don’t blush, I am telling you some truths. That is just being in love, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.

Louis de Bernières, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (via thelovejournals)

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“You didn’t sing?”

From /r/writingprompts

"You didn't sing?" Phil asked as I packed my desk into a suitcase.

"No!" I yelled for the fifth time, "I left my door cracked open and everything."

"And you didn't hear it?"

"Of course not, Phil," I said, clicking my suitcase shut. I ran over to my door, but Phil grabbed my arm.

"Come on, it happens all the time," he lied, "sit down and get that whisky out of your bag so you can pour me a drink."

"This isn't the time to drink!" I cried, "The cops will be here any second, and I have to go get my family before-"

"Before they arrest you," he interrupted, "and your family." I gulped and considered the idea that everyone in the office was too busy singing to notice someone missing. Then again, the song doesn't sound right without everyone in it.

"I have to get out of here," I sighed, "do you know anywhere I could go?"

"If I told you I'd have to report it when the police come."

"You'd do that?"

"I'd have to, or else I'd be in the same boat with you. Sorry I can't be too much help, but everyone sings. Only the psychos don't. They sing to their own tune."

"You fucker... I'd-"

"Mr. Carraway," my secretary pushed open the door and said, "some men are down in the office. They look like officials."

"God damn it," I threw my face into my hands. Phil came around and put his hand on my shoulder.

"There there, it's gonna be okay. Just relax and let this play out."

A note was played in the hall, and Phil stood up. I could even see my secretary stand up from her desk as well. With the men providing a deep resonating base, the women used this as a platform to sing a newer song from the ministry. It was god awful. I walked back to my desk and loaded my 9mm.

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Prompt #11

The thin veil of dust didn’t do the room any favors.

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One Year

 From @writing-challenges-and-prompts‘ prompt.

“I’m one year older.” “Yep, that’s usually how it works.” “A year older than he ever got to be.”

“Oh,” I said, sipping my shot of cheap whisky. He laughed at me, then grabbed the bottle to pour himself another drink.

“You know how many shades of fucked up that is? Ran himself down the hill in our red wagon one road too far.” 

“I’m sorry,” I croaked. Passed out beside me, my girlfriend stirred. Like the party, she yawned then nuzzled her head into my side. I looked at her, then back towards the guy across from me.

“It’s okay,” he sighed, “there’s nothing anyone could’ve done. Do you have any siblings?”

“Nope, I’m an only child. Parents split up before they could have another.”

“That’s for the better, I guess.” He finished his shot then went for another. His glass fell over, and so did he as his arm outstretched missed it by a few inches. I moved to help him up, but my girlfriend held me back in her sleep. 

“Here I am now,” he laughed as he turned himself over. Staring up at the ceiling, I thought he passed out. “You ever look up at the night sky and just watch the stars?”

“Can’t say I remember the last time I had,” I sputtered.

“You ever think they change?”

“Change?” I asked, “they don’t change every night.”

“I knew that,” he sighed, “but I don’t look enough to see a difference. Sure I see a few things, like orion's belt and the big dipper, but the rest just changes every time.”

I shrugged, since I couldn’t think straight. He tried to get back up, but struggled and fell back down.

“Who am I kidding?” he asked, “they’re all the same. It’s all the fucking same. It doesn’t matter how you look at it, it’ll always be the same lights in the sky looking back at you every night.”

“You could go elsewhere,” I chimed in, “there’s other constellations elsewhere. Like in South America.”

“South America,” he laughed, “I don’t see myself down in South America.”

“Where are we?” my girlfriend muttered.

“We’re spending the night,” I kissed her head, “go back to sleep.”

She grumbled something, but she had drank more than I had. She was out when the guy chimed back in again, “you know I had a fortune cookie the other day without any fortune in it? You know how fucked that is?”

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Prompt #10

I was relieved when I could hear Men At Work’s “Down Under” echoing throughout the halls.

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Cats sleep on rock slabs;

forever 

at the veterinarian’s office. In some corridor beside the missing posters, 

cats by cats and dogs by dogs lay in rows, attended to twice a day.

                                                                                               - my dad

told me when our black cat,

                                                 Jiffy,

                                                             got too old.

My parents found him one winter under a hood 

atop a radiator. He thought a toddler,

like myself, 

                                          a giant,

and hid under the green striped couch. 

Saki was too stubborn for any vet. She snuck out

occasionally and ran 

                           from  geese 

                     howling.

Saki went out and my other cat went after. 

Hopsing was the outdoor cat, who’d fetch

birds when we were hungry, and baby rabbits.

                                  We threw shoes at him, since we didn’t want

                                                                                baby rabbits.

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Spring Break

Over the course of the past week, I’ve been a mess in terms of writing and everything else going on in my life right now. I’ll be pulling myself together at some point over the next few days, so expect this blog to be active again soon. 

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drowning

I told my best friend I’m in love with you she looked at me and laughed because of who you are and who I’m not she’s absolutely right but saying it won’t change a fucking thing I think I might just die of this your eyes will be my downfall and I can’t stop picturing your smile imagining your hands on my bare back I’m spinning in a flood of helpless, hopeless, ridiculous desire my pride has washed away and I’m too old to play this stupid game I thought that I lived in the real world of adults—but I was wrong it turns out that I’m still the foolish child I was so sure I’d left behind me long ago no self-control, no thoughts worth speaking of and I can’t catch my breath my id and my libido rule me now it’s actually kind of fun as long as I don’t think about the way I’m sinking like a stone

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Prompt #9

“I promise I’ll get it done,” she cried, “It’ll be better than this, I promise.”

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Winter’s Night Stand

“Laughing with his mates, Alex tipped over another shot of vodka, or whisky, and the bartender glared over once he heard the glass hit the floor.

“I think the guy hates me,” Alex started with a whisper, then a yell, “no more booze for me.”

“Damn right,” Eric chuckled, “I always knew you were a lightweight.”

“Oh fuck off.”

“So what were you saying, Eric?”

“Right,” Will wiped his mouth, “so all these killings have been in the span of only a week, and the cops don’t know anything.”

“This the new serial killer people’ve been talking about?” Eric asked.

“Yeah, and I’m telling you guys, he’s-”

“What?” Alex interrupted, “you think you’re next?”

“Maybe,” Will threw up his hands, “drunk walking back to my place. That’s killer bait the way I see it.” 

“Oh shut up,” Alex laughed, “you’re a paranoid son of a bitch, aren’t you? Tell me, when was the last time you got laid?”

“What?”

“Laid, man. When was the last time you fucked?”

“Last month,” Will came out with, “back when Teresa and I were a thing.”

“And nothing since?” Alex laughed, “you need to get back into the game, Will.”

“Tonight?”

“Why not? Plenty of girls drinking around here. You’re bound to find someone.”

“Like those two over there,” Eric said, glancing over at a pair of women a few leaps away.

“I’ve got this,” Alex stood up.

“Aren’t I the one trying to get fucked tonight?” Will argued.

“I’ll warm them up for you,” Alex belched. Keeping balance, Alex held onto the bar for as long as he could until the two women noticed his approach. They kept up their conversation, ignoring the drunk until he stood in between them.

“Ladies,” he began, “how much does a polar bear weigh?”

“I know this one,” the brunette replied, “enough to break the ice?” 

“How did you-” Alex stopped himself, “alright. What’s your name?”

“Jennifer?” 

“Right, Jennifer...” Alex muttered, “well, looks like I already have your number.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, isn’t it 867-5309?”

“Haha,” Jennifer looked at her friend, “very funny. Would’ve been better if I went by Jenni.”

“I don’t get it,” her friend responded.

“It’s an older song, I...” Alex stuttered, “Look, my friend over there has been having some relationship problems. Don’t look over there, but he says he’s really into you.”

“Hmm,” Jennifer mumbled, glancing over to the two men watching from a distance, “I think I’ll pass.”

“Same,” her friend shook her head.

“Well maybe I can buy you two another round on me,” Alex smiled, “I didn’t even get your name.”

“Louise.” 

“Well then, Jennifer and Louise, do you mind if I sit down?”

“We can’t stop you,” Jennifer acknowledged. The bartender swung around with beer for the ladies and some vodka for the lad. Jennifer and her friend continued their conversation, regardless of Alex, who sat there without much to say because he didn’t know the gossip like they did.

“This is some shitty vodka,” Alex commented, which caught Louise by surprise.

“I thought that was water,” she said, “yeah, I think that’s just water.”

“Really?” Alex said, which made Jennifer laugh. 

“Okay, how much have you been drinking tonight?” Jennifer asked.

“Not enough,” Alex stuttered.

“You’re wasted, aren’t you?” Jennifer laughed along with Louise, but Alex just shrugged. 

“Listen, Jen,” Louise started up, “I have to wake up early to visit my mom in the hospital tomorrow, so I’m going to call it a night.”

“Alright, are you going to be in tomorrow?”

“Yeah, for a few hours at least,” Louis said, gathering her things, “you gonna be safe?”

“I’ll be fine. Jennifer said, shooting a glance, “I’ve got Alex here.”

“Alright,” Louise said, smiling, “Seeya tomorrow.”

“Seeya,” Jennifer said.

“So,” Alex moved himself closer, “now that we’re alone-”

“I’ve called an Uber, and we’re leaving in a couple of minutes.”

“What?” Alex stuttered, “Really?” Jennifer nodded, and looked down at her phone, giving Alex a chance to give the thumbs up to his friends, who were nowhere to be found.

“Come on,” she said, “I think he’s here.” They packed themselves into the car, and the driver was quite polite. There was some conversation, but Alex couldn’t get Jennifer to laugh. She looked rather serious, but Alex had already come this far. It’s not like this wasn’t going to happen.

Reaching her apartment, Alex was surprised to find such a nice place in town owned by a single woman. He could barely afford a closet, and had to take the train into town everyday. She made him some kind of fruit cocktail, which Alex enjoyed. Out on the balcony, the two watched the cars below drifting by with the occasional pedestrian parting the sea.

“So what do you think about that killer?” Jennifer brought up.

“He’s just some lunatic shit who gets off on killing,” Alex stated.

“How do you know it’s a guy?” 

“Doesn’t have to be,” Alex shrugged, leaning against the rail, “just the first gender that came to mind.”

“What about the ‘Giggling Nanny’?” Jennifer suggested, “ ‘The Blood Countess’?”

“Who?”

“Serial killers,” Jennifer sighed, “Nannie Doss and Elizabeth Báthory. You should read up on those two. Really fascinating stuff.” 

“You like those kinds of people?”

“I’ve always had a slight fascination with killers. I don’t know why, but ever since I was sixteen I always liked watching documentaries about people killers.”

“Huh, everyone has their kink I guess,” Alex smiled leaning back. He thought he saw Jennifer move, but he found himself going over the side of the balcony, but she caught him by the arm. Dangling there, Alex cried out, “Help!”

“You idiot!” she called back, pulling him up. He was amazed since she didn’t struggle to pull him back up. He swung his other arm up to grab the railing. A figure caught his eye, and it snuck up behind Jennifer. She yelped as she was picked up and thrown over the side with Alex now holding onto her for her life. Will stood above them with latex gloves and a plastic mask. Before Alex could say anything, Will smashed his hand and sent them plummeting. 

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Prompt #8

“Cancel all of my appointments. I’ll be out in ten minutes.”

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Go out with a caterpillar

it’ll dress up for you in green with black stripes and yellow spots. 

Order it a salad and watch as it can’t finish, hanging off a carrot to cocoon you ask  

to walk a mile in its shoes;

a mile for every pair,

           pairs for the hands

                       if you must.

end up in a hole in a wall

                                     where serving cheap beer is a passion

                                               and the bartender doesn’t know what

 a Guinness is.

Talk with the man

           laughing with his friends

                                               at the men fighting on TV.

Ask him about the weather and he’ll tell you about his wife and how they met. Drunk at a friend’s party, he kissed her

                                   missed her

                                               kissed

                                                                       her glasses

                                                                       because                       he liked the way she looked.

Walk a mile in his boots and end up at his

trailer.              Meet Mrs. G. Looking. Watch her

heat up a dinner for two and cut a portion for you, sighing as boots stumble off and back

                                                           grabbing a pin:

                                                                       soviet star with

                                                                       hammer and sickle.

                                                                                   Pushing it in your face,

                                             god damn commies, he laughs, ain’t this a nifty bit?

Make love to his wife,

get caught,

                                   walk a mile in her loafers.

           End up in some motel with prostitutes next door. Listen as she feels like twenty again

only to realize that she fell in love at twenty-one. Buy her some Pikesville Rye to dull the pain,

laugh with her

because it’s all you can do.

Leave in the morning while she’s still asleep. By bus,

your feet ache.  A petite woman asks your name, your hometown, and

                                                        for your shoes to walk a mile or two.

Laugh as she skips off the bus

           without map or reason

                       to your life.

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End of the week slowdown

Hey guys, sorry about the slowdown recently. These past few days have been busy, but I'll be doing some writing this weekend, so all is well. Here's to the weekend 🍻

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Prompt #7

“I told you this before, and I’ll say it again. I’ll do anything for you.”

“Then why did you come back after that?”