Miramichi Flash showcases four stellar flash fiction in its September Issue. “The Only Hope of The Jews” by Paul Beckman; “Split” by Francine Witte; “Fat Man” by Andrew Stancek; and “In Dreams We Meet At The Opera” by Damhnait Monaghan. Enjoy!
“THE ONLY HOPE OF THE JEWS” BY PAUL BECKMAN
You’re sitting on your stoop thinking how much you hate the stoop, the building you live in with six side-by-side apartments (now called townhouses) and the neighborhood.
“SPLIT” BY FRANCINE WITTE
The day is slowing to a shiver now, slowing and blacking into night and that’s when your father comes home, hole in his soul, and says things like supper and bitch, and your mother slams back you’re late, you’re late.
“FAT MAN” BY ANDREW STANCEK
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Tonight I am in the park alone.
Ma has been slamming cupboards, sweeping, scrubbing the small fridge, muttering. She used to work six days in Friesen’s Bake-o-Rama, and was never around. But when she did come home, she’d open a beer, give me a sip, and tell stories about Lin and Manuela and Crazy Carmen and the other women.
“IN MY DREAMS WE MEET AT THE OPERA” BY DAMHNAIT MONAGHAN
When I reach the bus stop, my mother’s gone. Is she lying in that puddle outside the Opera House? Or did I lose her in the lobby, distracted by the man wearing one red glove and clutching a bible? Retracing my steps, I find her under the twinkling chandelier, crooning a childhood lullaby.
