Miramichi Flash ‘Showcase’: March 2021 The Miramichi Reader

Miramichi Flash ‘Showcase’: March 2021

Miramichi Flash showcases four noteworthy flash fictions, “Surrogate Love” by Damhnait Monaghan, “Keeping Time” by Niles Reddick, “Three Little Birds” by Mary Thompson, and “The Fisherman’s Wife” by Sandrina Dorigo, in its March 2021 Issue! – Enjoy!

“SURROGATE LOVE” BY DAMHNAIT MONAGHAN

Rounding the corner, I see a motorcycle on its side, rider flung to the verge, like trash from a car window. I drop my shopping bags and run, while a man on the pavement shouts ‘accident’ and ‘ambulance’ into his cell phone.

I kneel and grip the boy’s hand. My eyes skim over shredded jeans, an awkwardly bent leg, a protruding bone.

‘What’s your name?’

“KEEPING TIME” BY NILES REDDICK

My great grandmother was in her seventies when her crooked fingers with thin skin hammered chords by ear on the piano in the living room, and she patted the bench and said, “Come on. I’ll show you.”

“THREE LITTLE BIRDS” BY MARY THOMPSON

We never intended to hitch, but a State of Emergency has been declared in Greece, so banks, trains and even bread shops are on strike. We scribble Thessaloniki on a cardboard box and plonk ourselves down at the side of the National Road. It’s scorching hot so we roll our shorts up and expose our thighs to the last vestiges of sunshine. And wait.

“THE FISHERMAN’S WIFE” BY SANDRINA DORIGO

Should this be the day that he returns, she is ready with the brightest red lipstick. The table has been set. She makes their evening meal. A week has passed since he was due, with no word. Yesterday, she saw the rails of the harbour wall washed out to sea. That evening she watched the windows bow and bend. The walls ticked, sighed and groaned as they bore each icy blast sent from the sea.