Category Archives: Short Stories

The 12-year-old girl came running into the room where her father was sitting on the sofa, watching TV. She had an open book in her hand and was out of breath. “Dad look!” she plopped the book down on her father’s lap, causing him to spill his coffee. “Lily, what is it?” “Look!” She pointedContinue reading “Tales by Dad”

Bill was mad at himself for waiting to the last minute to do what he should have done days ago. The party is in an hour, and he was supposed to bring the beer. On Halloween, it was early evening as he drove around the store parking lot, trying to find a parking space. HeContinue reading “Politically Incorrect (fiction)”

It was early summer 1968 in the small Northern California town. The weather was perfect. In fact, perfect enough to have a picnic, according to Sam. The 12-year-old was excited about going into junior high school when the summer ended. He’ll be one of the “big kids” now. But, of course, there were even biggerContinue reading “Just Moved In”

We were on a weekend fun trip to the Gold Country. We planned to go to the Placer County Museum in Auburn, CA. My Great Great Grandfather was the last city marshal there, and we were interested in the area’s history. We located the museum. It looked like a school building, not an old one,Continue reading “The Future”

Snickers ran around the house frantically. She could tell her people would be leaving. She grabbed a toy for comfort and carried it around with her. Snickers went up to Emily the Jack Russell Terrier. I hate it when the people go away. It is horrible. I just know they will never come back. EmilyContinue reading “The Loss”

Truk Atoll was one of the most interesting places we visited on our Western Pacific-Southern Pacific Cruise (WestPac-SouthPac) in 1980. Because the USS O’Callahan is a smaller ship with a shallower draft than many of the US’s warships, we were able to go to places most others could not. Truk Atoll was one of them.Continue reading “Truk Atoll: Further Adventures Aboard the USS O’Callahan”

With sadness and joy, my brother Guy and I started going through my grandmother’s things. Sadness that she passed away, but joy in what she brought to our lives and the fact she lived to 103. Up to the end, she was still the independent, feisty, and often an irreverent presence we grew up with.Continue reading “Promises”

I was sitting in an airport waiting for my flight when a woman with a service dog sat next to me. I asked, “Can I pet your dog?” “Sure, she’d love that. Thanks for asking me; so many people don’t.” I gave the Yellow Lab a scratch behind the ears. She seemed to like itContinue reading “Dogs”

It was the summer of 1972; I was 15 years old and had just finished my sophomore year at Novato High School. Before the school year ended, the drama class received an invitation to try out to be extras in a new movie about the ’60s. The ’60s, from our perspective, was ancient history. ManyContinue reading “I was in American Graffiti”