Tara screamed when she saw the red and white rubbish truck barrel through the intersection. She was still screaming when she woke to bright lights and pain. Even through the pain, she was aware of her new location. The hospital was a low murmur of voices and humming machines. Someone was crying. Someone else was … Continue reading Walter’s Gift
Sparkles
Sparkles The shop was small, dimly lit, and crammed with junk. Dee sneezed. The dust was disgusting. So was the old man sitting behind the counter. Dee hated this place. She was only here because the rent was due and there was no money. Once again, she had been sent to Mr Barton’s pawn shop … Continue reading Sparkles
Glued
Glued! Kaylee opened the back door gingerly. She hoped she would be able to sneak through the house to her bedroom without being seen. “Show me what happened.” Mum was waiting by the kitchen sink. “Nothing.” Kaylee whined. Tears filled her eyes as she denied her disgrace. “Don’t talk to me like that.” Mum ordered, … Continue reading Glued
The Nixie in the Fridge
“Mum?” I heard the quaver in his voice, which I knew Michael would hate me for recognising. The pause after he addressed me, also said a lot. He did not want to begin this conversation. Neither did I. “What’s up?” I looked up, and up, from my crocheting, to my eldest son’s face. He towered … Continue reading The Nixie in the Fridge
Finishing Family Business
“It’s so cold,” I whispered the words aloud, although I knew no one would hear. My gregarious sister, Renee, was too busy chatting with her friend to be paying me any attention. Renee was raving about the ‘totally awesome’ decor of the room Anna had invited us into. I felt like I had walked into … Continue reading Finishing Family Business
In the Ashes
The moisture sliding down her cheeks made Drala’s face itchy. She rubbed her eyes but noticed grit on her fingers. Fear of scratching her eyeballs forced her to keep her hands away. She growled at the stupid tears. She needed to see where she was going but her eyes kept blurring. Then she sneezed. She … Continue reading In the Ashes
Gutter Butterfly
Leaves, sized from a 10cent coin, up to a saucer, shaped from ragged to round, and a from child’s finger to a man’s hand in width, flutter into a heap. They rest against the base of a wooden fence. Their colours of tan, green and yellow complement the silvered timber. The wind, a warm north-westerly, … Continue reading Gutter Butterfly
Liz Homes Author 