in 1000 Stories

just a dog – 47/1000

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“Go get it Shirley, go get it!”

“Why did you name a dog Shirley? It doesn’t sound like a good name for a dog.”

“That was her name when I got her, when she retired from being the city’s top K-9 officer.”

“You mean dog.”

“No, I mean officer. They were treated like part of the police force, same as the humans.”

“That’s crazy.”

“Why?”

“Because they’re just dogs.”

“This dog just saved the lives of children who were drowning, you know. And children who were lost in fiery buildings. And children who liked to argue with their mothers.”

“Okay.”… Read the rest

in 1000 Stories

lost and gone – 46/1000

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She couldn’t get out of bed anymore, except to use the bathroom, and that’s only because she was forced and shamed into it.

She would have just laid there and died, it’s what she wanted.

Living alone was never something she was cut out for, and she didn’t want to do it.

She’d spend the rest of her breaths wrapped in black silk waiting for her turn to go.

It didn’t matter that she had a child who needed her, friends and family who loved her, or work that fulfilled her – nothing mattered but what was lost and gone … Read the rest

in 1000 Stories

speed demon – 45/1000

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They got him a new car every time he crashed his old one.

The kid was a speed demon, but they loved him no matter how reckless he was, no matter how casual he was with taking other people’s lives in his careless hands.

Trying to stop him was useless. He would have left home, he would have disappeared on them.

They would try to reason with him, they would tell him he might ruin his future (but not that he might die) and his only answer was:

“Speed never killed anyone. It’s becoming suddenly stationary, that’s what gets you.”… Read the rest

in 1000 Stories

getting late – 44/1000

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Forty-three years and I still feel like I am a child that is working hard on figuring things out on my own because no one cares enough to care for me.

I forgot to pay my taxes, I don’t know how to submit an insurance claim, I don’t know how to refinance my car, and feel like all I have to turn to is my new best friend Claude.

Is it ever really too late?

I mean, to become the person I want to be?

The sun is starting to set on this life, but I am not done yet.… Read the rest

in 1000 Stories

flowers would be nice – 43/1000

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The day winds down and you know you’re leaving work only to go home to try to answer the daily question of what the fuck is for dinner?

You’re glad to leave work, but going home has its own stressors.

There’s the child who chews with her mouth open, loudly. There’s the boyfriend whose loyalty you question. There’s the job you love but you’re terrified of losing.

But you open the door and there are flowers on the table; vibrant, bright, ferociously alive.

Their scent is a welcome assault; you breathe and smile.

You never know what’ll be a daymaker.… Read the rest

in 1000 Stories

the sword – 42/1000

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I didn’t want to fight. I wasn’t made for battle, I was made to sit on a throne and be quiet and pretty.

When my brother ran in, he was already mortally wounded and died in my arms.

His blood was the anger I needed to pick up his sword and fight back.

A rebel entered. Had I been empty handed, he may have left, but I was armed, and he engaged me.

His sword came down, and I saw the faces of my people in his blade.

I hacked and stabbed and finally killed him.

But all for nothing.… Read the rest

in 1000 Stories

jilted – 41/1000

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“Tell me, was I just another pawn in your elaborate game of chess?”

“You were, but unlike the other pawns you managed to become my queen.”

“I am not your queen! I have no crown; she got your crown!”

“But you get me. You get my nights my mornings, my kisses, my hugs and love. You get all of that, she gets none of it.”

“Games! It’s just games you play and nonsense you speak!”

“No, my love, no, you are the queen of my heart.”

“But not by name, so I will never sit by you on your throne.”… Read the rest

in 1000 Stories

bad chimp – 40/1000

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When the chimp attacked I left my body. I wasn’t there when he pounded at my face with his fists, when he jumped up and down on my stomach and groin, crushing me.

I barely remember being taken away with lights flashing, sirens blaring, but I remember waking up in agony, feeling like someone had ripped my body apart and sloppily put it back together.

“I’m sorry, the injuries to your face were too severe, we couldn’t save it,” the doctor said.

I know I’m a monster, but I’m trying to approach life with grace, while wearing someone else’s face.… Read the rest

in Before Now

twelve twenty-five twenty-five

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12/25/25

This hasn’t been the best year.

It’s had its ups and downs like all the other years, but this one passed quickly and in a blur of anxiety and discontent.

I’m one of those people who thinks “If things are too good to be true, they probably are,” but unfortunately I am not one to heed that warning and prepare myself for the worst.

Not long ago, Bobby told me for the second time that he will never remarry, his family will always come first, and I can do better.

Now, I agree with him.

We are living in … Read the rest