Miramichi Flash ‘Showcase’: May 2021
Miramichi Flash showcases four stellar flash fictions: “The Piano Man” by Lorette C. Luzajic; “The Begging Bowl” by Atma C Frans; “Waltzing With Ma” by Andrew Stancek; and “Zig Zag” by Jacqueline Doyle; in its May 2021 Issue, today. — Enjoy!
“THE PIANO MAN” BY LORETTE C. LUZAJIC
The first time you visited him at the hospital, there was a gray, thin man who played at the piano. His hands were shaking, but his notes were pristine white flames. By chance you and your friend are talking about those years when you would see him like that, shuffling to the visitor station in ill-fitting jeans and fuzzy slippers.
“THE BEGGING BOWL” BY ATMA FRANS
The boy stands back and looks at them. Their orange robes swirl around their bony legs. The shaved heads bend forward. The right hand holds a wooden bowl, a begging bowl, his mother says.
“WALTZING WITH MA” bY ANDREW STANCEK
Last Thursday she gave away her parrot, on Saturday her mother’s Bible. When I walk in for my regular visit, I find her on her knees, scrubbing the kitchen floor. I take off my jacket and kneel next to her, cover her hand with mine, share a little of my body heat, apply pressure on the brush.
“ZIG ZAG” BY JACQUELINE DOYLE
I ran into the house, the screen door banging behind me. I was scrubbing my hands at the kitchen sink when I saw her through the window. She was crossing the cornfield, making a beeline for the barn. The water ran red in the sink.
