Category: Fiction

Let Worries Float Away (6SS)

March 12, 2026

Oh yes, it’s that time again–more 6-sentence stories rolling in from all parts: east & west, north & south!  Get ’em while they’re hot!  Every week our hostess with the mostest, Denise, serves up a fine prompt word, and away we go…frantically carving a story which is only allowed 6 sentences (thus, many of us are grateful for the grace of St Denise…if our sentences “run-on” long, she doesn’t use a red pencil to discipline us).

Here’s the link for info, and to meet the crowd of talented writers–just do it–you, too, can write 6 sentences!  The prompt this week is FLOAT!

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/03/11/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-62/

~♥~

“I’m thinking of changing my name,” Lorelei said, refilling Judd’s coffee cup–he looked at her, wondering what could possibly come next; she smiled like the Cheshire cat and he asked innocently, “first or last”—which made her giggle, “first, silly–remember that guy who sat next to me in English class, never really talked to me, but called me ‘Zelda’–I like the sound…like Zelda Fitzgerald.”

Judd aligned his thoughts carefully; he vaguely recalled the story about her classmate (whom he would never have met, as he was 20 yrs their senior)–a lad naturally smitten with her, but oddly reticent.

“Love, Zelda Fitzgerald was a very unhappy woman–not a good name–Lorelei is the one dearest to my heart, keep it”; a last swallow of coffee, and he stood–“I’ll be back soon, just a couple errands”; he kissed her twice and was out the door before she could request his itinerary.

~~~~~

Richard greeted him warmly at the church office door–“hey, Judd–what brings you to church on a weekday?”–and nodded when Judd asked if he had time to talk.

Judd sat in the offered chair, rubbed the furrows from his brow and began telling the pastor some of his and Lorelei’s history, followed by their recent drive to the entrance of Birchwick Cliff–the warning signs, his concerns about the town’s backstory, Lorelei’s vulnerabilities and fascination with Richard’s experiences; when he paused, sighing, Richard leaned forward to speak:  “Judd, the sensationalism surrounding the town is foolishness and inaccurate–there was no cult behind the misfortunes I wrote about; people who lived there, and others, got caught up in their own suspicions and fears–it can happen in any small town.

“Now, let me float a solution past you: I’d be happy to give you and Lorelei a personal tour, and answer any questions–I’m an open book; there are no ghosts, nor inherent evils–and I’ll check out those signs at the gate…they must be left over from last Halloween’s festivities–if your schedule’s fairly open we can set a date, and lunch is on me.”

~ Cale

“Further On”…

March 11, 2026

I don’t usually do movie reviews, and I’m not a big Bill Murray fan–but this one, “St Vincent” (2014, rated PG) is so good that I’ve watched it repeatedly.  Why?  Because the actor who plays “Oliver” (an “old soul”)–his debut role–absolutely carries, and makes this film fabulous.

Bill plays the curmudgeon, “Vin”, extremely well–so the contrast between Vin and young Oliver is striking, to say the least.  The movie is rough around the edges…but if you stay with it till the end, it’s sure to melt your heart because there’s a message for all of us in it. 

“Saints are human beings”–perhaps when we show respect and love to humans who are unlikeable, we’ll have a positive impact on them…and thus they may become saints, after a fashion.

There’s the gamut of emotions on display in this film–and the music is familiar to most of us.  I particularly like the song, “Further On” (which was new to me)–so I offer it here with scenes from the film, and also the radio/lyric version in case you’re interested.  Hope you enjoy!

~ Cale

St. Vincent is a 2014 American comedy drama film written, directed, and co-produced by Theodore Melfi.[4] The film stars Bill Murray as the title character and it features Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts, Chris O’Dowd, Terrence Howard, and Jaeden Lieberher in his film debut.

 

Grief

March 10, 2026

Grief is for the strong, who use it as fuel for burning.

Lauren Groff, “Fates and Furies”

Lauren Groff is an American novelist and short story writer. She has written five novels and two short story collections, including Delicate Edible Birds, Fates and Furies, Matrix, The Vaster Wilds, and Brawler. She was named one of the 100 most influential people by TIME in 2024. Wikipedia

“The Weight of Water”*

March 9, 2026

Sometimes I think that if it were possible to tell a story often enough to make the hurt ease up, to make the words slide down my arms and away from me like water, I would tell that story a thousand times.

Anita Shreve, from her book–*The Weight of Water

Of all the fiction I’ve read in over 60 years, this line is so personal that I wish I’d writen it. ~ Cale

Sparks of Fear Fly (6SS)

March 5, 2026

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/03/04/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-61/

I don’t know about everyone else, but my heart starts racing as it comes time for the weekly 6SS blog hop!  Our host Denise is 5-Star–I’m speaking truth!  She serves up a fine prompt every Sunday, and my head starts spinning.  So, if you’re wondering what’s going on when I say “Six Sentence Story”, click her link above and get all the info so you can join the crowd of extraordinary writers who pack a world of creativity into 6 sentences each week.  Don’t waste another minute–it’s easy and FUN, come on!

~~♥~~

Lorelei was shocked by Judd’s uncharacteristic demeanor after she’d described signs just within the tall wrought-iron gate (“BEWARE” & “Pandora’s Jar”); he’d spoken harshly, “get in the car, Now”–and sped toward the highway as she asked if he was feeling unwell; in all their years (which included his law enforcement career & related medical leaves), she’d never seen him this way–sparks of fear were flying from his azure eyes, and he was silent until they arrived home.

Pouring a glass of wine, his tone was parental: “I don’t want you going into Birchwick Cliff and poking around”, he said softly–“please, you’ve read the book, you can talk to Richard, that’s it.”

But that wasn’t all of it…to her observation that this was the first time she’d seen him so full of fear, he countered with, “then you’ve forgotten–this is the fear-face I wore for months after you tried to kill yourself, following your divorce”; he raised his palm, indicating a need for space between them as she made startled reply: “that wasn’t because of my divorce, it was the way…Never mind–why are you bringing it up now, making me feel horrible–what can it possibly have to do with Birchwick Cliff??”

He embarked on a quietly emotional ramble: he’d been terrified of losing her then (and remained unclear regarding her suicidal impulse), and was now afraid the town might harbor malicious spirits from its nefarious past which could upset her delicate balance–“check your Bible, Love…there is a spiritual realm of Darkness, and it’s real.”

“But Judd–Richard survived his experiences there, made it his home, became the pastor…surely he must have prayed over and anointed every inch of the village with consecrated oil, against any lingering evil.”

“Forgive me if I’m less interesterd in him–I don’t care about Richard’s choices; I love You with fierce passion in every breath I take, and I won’t risk even a wayward wind ruffling Your wellbeing; I need you to respect the warnings posted at that overly-dramatic-looking gate…and I’m sick of this whole subject, so speak your final word; she folded herself into his embrace, murmured, “alright Judd…alright, my breathing castle”.*

~ Cale

(*“I love you–you’re my breathing castle.  Gentle, so gentle…we’ll live forever.” Richard Brautigan)

Beware Pandora’s Jar ~ 6SS, Part 2

February 28, 2026

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/02/25/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-60/

~♥~

Judd squinted into the woodsy shadows for some hint of an entrance to Birchwick Cliff–his wife Lorelei sat beside him, quiet as they approached the mysterious myth-bound town; she bent forward suddenly: “there, Judd–that’s the massive wrought iron gate Richard described, it really does look formidable”; he murmured, “yes”, unwilling to admit he was spooked–he couldn’t tell if it was locked, hoped so…then he could head back to the highway with no apology.

Lorelei was the brave one, brimming with enthusiasm on this adventure; she was getting out of the car when Judd grabbed her arm protectively–she grinned and shook him off– “I’m going to see if it’s open and we can drive through”.

He watched her, breath held as though on a stakeout; she had pushed inside, entered the creepy place…and his stomach rolled with nausea; she stuck her hand back out, beckoned him to join her.

Cracking his door a few inches, he said, “just tell me what you see, Love” (he was kicking himself for not calling Richard to ask him to meet them here ‘for a tour’…the sensible thing to do).

She walked back to the car and leaned against it, her face flushed with excitement as she offered intel: “there are 2 signs just past the gate, one says ‘BEWARE’, and underneath, ‘Pandora’s Jar’…and it has little painted fruits on it; I think it might be a garden shop–maybe they sell jams and preserves made by women who live here.”

Judd’s mind veered in a different direction:  from what Lorelei had read to him from Richard’s book, anything they were selling contained a risk of poisoning; death permeated ‘the Cliff’s’ history–suicides and murder (and somewhere, he’d heard the youngsters had all vanished)–his late Grandma’s admonitions to resist curiosity echoed within him:

“beware–don’t open Pandora’s Jar”).

~ Cale

Beware Pandora’s Jar ~ 6SS, Part 1

February 26, 2026

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/02/25/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-60/

Once again Denise’s prompt for 6 Sentence Story arrives like a life raft on a stormy sea (cue the melodramatic music)–and a wonderful prompt word it is:  SIGN.  So if you’re not familiar yet, no worries, this is a friendly island oasis–just click her link above and start typing…it’s only 6 sentences, and gets you right in the door to join a crowd of fine authors!

~♥~

Ever since reading their pastor’s locally acclaimed biography, Lorelei had badgered her husband to take a break from his work so they could drive into Birchwick Cliff and check out the sites mentioned in Richard’s book.

Judd didn’t share her fascination with the mystique of a small town’s weird history (it had never crossed his mind to have a look)–she’d told him the details of Richard’s experiences as she eagerly read each chapter, so he’d had no need to read it himself; and though he’d gladly step away from his easel to satisfy his wife’s intimate needs, he was diligent about his second career–his commissioned paintings provided income which added to his retirement pension as savings for rainy days.

But she pleaded so prettily this day that he sighed and acquiesced–it wasn’t a long drive from their home in Westling, they’d be back for dinner and Lorelei would be happy.

The church they attended was located adjacent to the border of Birchwick Cliff, the town (but not IN it–as though resisting too close an association); that was the sum total of information to be had about the village named for the cliff–unless you determined to dig for it; Birchwick Cliff didn’t appear on area maps, and was not recognized, acknowledged by GPS authority. 

Quoting Richard’s book: “if you asked how to get to Birchwick Cliff, you’d likely be told to ‘take the road to the church…behind it is the town…next is the Cliff so watch your footing’.”

Richard had written that the town was cloaked in secrecy for reasons unspeakable–no outsider, especially Richard (a writer triggered suspicion), had ever found welcome there; one entered at one’s own risk (and potential folly)…the risk, vague and veiled; and Judd–despite Lorelei’s encouragement–was not seeing a single helpful sign.

~ Cale  (Part 2 continues tomorrow!)

Coffee Grounds, a Love Story (6SS)

February 19, 2026

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/02/18/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-59/

Sometimes 6-Sentence Stories is all it takes to make the week worth ploughing through, right?  It’s odd when a Monday can be super-blessed, then Tuesday “pulls a Monday”! 

Oh well, that’s life–and here we are for more great writing from wonderful folks, and the best host ever: Denise, who serves up the weekly prompt words.  This week we have GROUND, which offers a plethora of story ideas.  So if you’re new here, click the link above for all the info, and hop on board–everyone is welcome!

💖☕💖

“Judd,” she said softly, coming into his studio, “I’m making the grocery list–will you be taking a break soon?”

“Yes, Love”–he turned to smile appreciatively as he looked her up and down–“fire away, what’s on the list?”–then frowned as he read ‘ground chicken’ and asked what it was for.

She put a finger to his lips, said, “it’s healthier than beef, I’ll put it in meatloaf, you’ll never know the difference”; he raised an eyebrow, replied, “I’m a detective and you’ve just confessed, case closed”.

“And now you’re a comedian–none of your former colleagues would believe it, ‘the man with no sense of humor’–anyway, just get what’s on the list, no wandering the aisles…unless you want to pick out some carnations…for the mess you made with coffee grounds.”

“Ah, but it wasn’t me…must have been our invisible cat.”

She grinned, “you’re about to be invisible, Mr Forensic Expert–it only takes a minute to use the hand-vac; and don’t say I should make your coffee–you declared long ago that non-coffee drinkers can’t make decent coffee…it’s in our contract, small print”; he kissed her hard before she could say another word and left with her list.💖

~ Cale

 

Mark “The Dark”(6SS)

February 13, 2026

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/02/11/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-58/

Oh good! another week of six-sentence-stories!  Our host, Denise, always has a great prompt up her sleeve–so if you’re new to this weekly writing challenge, click her link above to get all the info you need…then, go for it!  The prompt is: MARK.

~~💕~~

By long habit, Judd had made a mark on his mental calendar whenever The Dark fell on his wife, and watched for the best time to approach her with patient inquiry; he’d checked off the usual triggers–hormones, full moon, weather…falling barometer…

He finds her in the bedroom, crying quietly so as not to disturb him–“talk to me, Love, tell me what’s wrong”, and when she buries her face against his chest, he grips her gently lest she shatter.

It’s a scene they’ve repeated uncounted times since she was still a child and he was the older man she adored, the hero who promised to protect her–“was it another nightmare?”

She sniffles against his paint-splotched denim shirt–“I just get so scared,” she murmurs; (scared he’ll stop loving her, find someone ‘low-maintenance’; scared an intruder will break in one night and shoot him in the back as he’s painting yet another sunrise ‘just for her’).

“Love, you must stop reading true-crime books and watching follow-up documentaries…”–but she interrupts to remind him of the car bomb that blinded him temporarily, and the two shootings that earned him the headline “bullet-proof McMorrow” and a drawer full of commendations long decades ago; and with barely a pause for breath, adds, “or, what if you suddenly disappear like Richard’s fiancee and mother–I couldn’t go on living for years, waiting for someone to find your bones, and never know who or why you were killed!”

He kissed her forehead, cheeks, chin, lingered on her lips…then imitated Steve Martin’s dry wit…“ohhh, are you worried I might be abducted on a brief mindless-any-day-drive to buy Pearl black olives?”

~ Cale

The Wrong Brand!

February 5, 2026

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/02/04/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-57/

Oh it’s a grand day, and a great prompt from our host, the Brilliant Denise!  What’s the word?  BRAND!  So click the link if you’re unfamiliar with this weekly literary feast–get the info, write 6 sentences–and we’ll all gather for story-time.

And since everybody but me is Cold, I’ll try to warm you up with my episode of the continuing saga, starring Judd and Lorelei.

💖😠💕

“JUDD!”–the urgency in her voice drew him from his studio to the kitchen, where she stood–one hand fisted on her hip, the other holding up a can…and wearing the “wrath of Lorelei”; he smiled indulgently, “yes, Love?”

“What is THIS?” she snarled…and he was immediately transported back to Miss Thrumbull’s (retired US Marine Corp) English class on a pop-quiz day where the multiple-choice answers were designed so that the most obvious right one would always and forever be wrong…but you couldn’t count on that because, well, it was Miss Thrumbull.”

“It’s black olives, Love–you had it on the list…did you mean green ones?”

“This is NOT our brand–we only buy Pearl black olives–why did you get the store brand?” (her voice held a machete edge, much like Sgt. Thrumbell’s).

“They were on sale,” he tried, helpfully…(catching himself just before saying black olives are black olives, no considerable difference); she maintained her ridgid stance…and now she’d begun to resemble the unhinged Annie Wilkes in “Misery”; he well knew there were few options for redemption.

“I’ll be glad to return it and get the Pearl’s,”–he extended his hand for the violently rebuffed can she still gripped; “and when I come back, how ’bout some afternoon romance to make you feel better?” (he had 1 Viagra left)…her features softened, his exquisite Lorelei once more.

~ Cale

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2026/01/29/ragtag-daily-prompt-thursday-snarl/