Slapped (Flash Non-fiction)

Slapped

by Michelle Stiles

When I was in elementary school I got a referral for slapping an annoying boy. It was a hot June day at lunch so I was already irritated. My friend Nina and I were minding our own business when Jesse came around. He kept saying “Mama” repeatedly. Nina and I were livid. When we couldn’t take it anymore, I stepped up and slapped him hard on the back. POW! Struck, Jesse screamed in anguish. I got in trouble but my fellow classmates cheered me on because Jesse annoyed everyone and he had it coming. For elementary school is the old time you can get away with fighting without serious legal consequences. It was worth it.

Gentle Breeze (Guided Imagery)

Gentle Breeze

by Michelle Stiles

Sit down and take a deep breath.

Close your eyes, relax, and forget about any stress you have.

Picture yourself on a warm beach at sunset.

Look at the beautiful colors of the sky.

Feel the warm, gentle breeze caress your cheek.

Squish your bare feet in the sand.

Take a look around.

What do you see?

How do you feel?

When I count to 10 open your eyes and write.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10!

The Girl With The Golden Gun

The Girl With The Golden Gun

by Michelle Stiles

Annabelle was a quiet girl. Her hair was red and her soul was on fire. All she wanted was to be loved. Her parents loved her and everything but some days she felt like they did not really care. Too wrapped up in their own life issues to ask her, “Are you ok?’

Her father, Walter was a simple country farmer. He grew up with three older brothers and always felt as step behind. Over the years, his brothers moved all over the country and although they kept in touch via cell phone he missed them very much. His life now was nothing like the good ole days when they’d go hunting in the woods behind their cottage home.  Although he loved his daughter, he really wished he had a son to shoot with.

Her mother, Leslie was a baker. All those early mornings rolling dough so she could “roll in the dough”. She was rather successful in her small business, “Sweet Cakes”. She baked cakes for all occasions like Sweet 16s and weddings.  She was a true talent and knew that love was the best ingredient.  All her cakes and pastries were made from scratch.

The family owned a small farm. Leslie used the chickens’ fresh eggs in her recipes. Annabelle had a special connection with the animals. They weren’t judgmental and rude like humans. Walter on the other hand, saw animals as nothing much more than profit makers and food. He absolutely loved to hunt and would keep taxidermies of his kills. They would eat venison on a regular basis. Leslie would prep the meals with tender loving care. They always came out delicious—savory without being too salty. She could really burn some pans. 

One night at dinner, Annabelle was feeling blue. She hardly touched her plate and tears were formed in her eyes. Seeing her daughter’s sadness, Leslie tapped her plate and said, “What’s the matter sweetheart?”

Leslie looked up and said, “Nothing Momma, I just feel alone.”

“But we’re right here baby. “ Walter interjected.

“Walter…” Leslie snapped. She could see that Annabelle was serious. Walter just hushed up and continued eating his venison meatloaf.

“How’s about we bake some dessert together? Just you and me Annabelle.” Leslie suggested.

Annabelle just rolled a pea around on her plate with her fork. Without looking up she said, “But we do that all the time. I want to do something different.”

A bit offended, Leslie just looked down and continued to eat her meal. Walter saw how Annabelle’s reaction hurt his wife’s feelings so he sat up straight, looked Annabelle in the eyes and said, “You know what Annabelle, your mother and I are trying here. Could you please at least attempt to be nice? How about you come shooting with me sometime?”

Annabelle looked up and snuffed her nose. “I don’t want anything to do with hurting innocent animals!”

“We don’t have to go hunting. We can just shoot soda cans in the backyard.” Walter suggested.

“That sounds like a wonderful idea Walter.” Leslie exclaimed.

Coming around, Annabelle smirked and said, “I guess we could give it a try.”

So after dinner, Walter and Annabelle went out back with a couple of guns and pairs of earphones while Leslie washed the dishes. Since Annabelle was only twelve years old and never really shot before, Walter gave her his old gold BB gun he used as a kid. Meanwhile he used his 44. He taught her how to aim and fire with the BB. She picked up on it quite quickly.

After a couple practice shots, Annabelle was really getting the hang of it.  Her frown had turned upside down. She was actually having fun. It also made Walter very happy to see his daughter enjoy shooting. The way they bonded over guns reminded him of the camaraderie between him and his brothers growing up. He had the realization that he did not need a son to be happy—Annabelle was more than enough. 

As they finished up the last of the bullets, Leslie came out with a fresh-baked strawberry rhubarb pie and vanilla ice cream.  The three of them ate their dessert on the back porch with the smell of gunpowder in the air and couldn’t be happier.

                                             The End.

Life is a Lump of Clay

Life is a Lump of Clay

by Michelle Stiles

You shape your life every day.

Sometimes life stays the same way.

Sometimes life is taken away.

You should always live up to all of your day.

Life is a lump of clay.

Red-Headed Slut (Screenplay)

Red-Headed Slut

by Michelle Stiles

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

In a Gothic motif bedroom a COUPLE is making out on the bed with satin sheets.

AMBER (30s), scantily clad feisty red-head and PABLO (20s), ruggedly handsome Latino from the wrong side of the tracks share a passionate kiss.

Pablo runs his hands through Amber’s hair as they lock eyes intimately. Amber reaches for the buttons on his shirt and undoes them.

Pablo sensually feels Amber up and leaves his hand on the small of her back.

Amber nibbles Pablo’s ear and he closes his eyes in bliss. Amber flashes him a teasing smile.

CLOSEUP of Amber’s left hand intertwined with Pablo’s hand. On her ring finger is a five carat diamond RING that twinkles in the light.

Suddenly, a loud ruckus is heard from behind the door. Both Pablo and Amber perk up in alert.

Amber tosses Pablo his shirt. Pablo dresses fast and heads towards the window. Just as Pablo opens the window NORMAN (30s), fat ugly man storms into the room.

Pablo looks like a deer in the headlights and bolts out the window. 

Norman runs after him but misses him by just a hair. Amber hides under the covers in fear.

Norman gives her a look of disappointment that shortly evolves into anger. He rushes over to the bed and rips the covers off of Amber. Her face is flushed and her lipstick is smeared.

Norman SLAPS her hard in the face. Amber covers her cheeks with her left hand as she cries.

Norman violently grabs her wrist and yanks off the RING. He shoves it in his pocket.

Amber carries an expression of shame along with a developing black eye. Norman angrily runs out of the room. SLAM goes the door behind him.

                                                                                                                END SCENE.

June Marie's Halloween

June Marie's Halloween

by Michelle Stiles

It was a typical Halloween night. All the little kids were out trick-or-treating and hanging out. Many of them went to a Halloween carnival at school. It was a great day for everyone—everyone except for June Marie Spelling. That was the day that the little 11 year-old girl was killed.
Halloween in Cranville: what a wonderful place. Everyone is always in the true Halloween spirit. All the houses have a jack-o-lantern and decorations all set up. It’s fun for everyone, especially the students of Cranville Elementary School. Ms Lafey’s class has the most spirited students of all.
“Oh, I’m so excited about Halloween,” said Emily Jude.
“Yeah, isn’t it just great? Candy is the best part! Isn’t it Emily?”
“Sure is June Marie!”
Emily and June Marie have been best friends since pre-k. They live next door to each other and are very close.
“So Emily, what are you going to be for Halloween?”
“I’m going to be a pirate!”
“That’s awesome. I’m going to be a ghost!”
“Cool.”
“Alright children, let’s all take our seats,” said Ms. Lafey. So they all sat down. “Ok kids, as you know the Halloween Carnival is coming up soon.” All of the students cheered. “Alright children, settle down. Now, the school has chosen our class to make a booth at the carnival!” The kids were so excited! “Now I want you all to go home and come up with one idea over the weekend.” The bell rang and everybody went to his or her buses.
June Marie and Emily were talking when all of a sudden a kid came up to them and recited a weird poem that went like this: “Halloween day, Halloween night. May this one give you a big scary fright. Monsters, spiders goblins, and ghouls. The pumpkin shall fall and justice be ruled!” Then the kid went on the bus.
“That was weird,” said Emily.
“You’re telling me!” remarked June Marie.
“So what’s your booth idea June Marie?”
“I’m not sure yet Emily. How about you?”
“Well, I was thinking I could get my mom to make her apple cider and we could sell it there.”
“That sounds cool. Ok, well I’m going home. See ya!"
“Bye,” Emily said as she went into her aunt’s house.
June Marie was walking to her house when her old mean neighbor said, “Well hello June Marie. Where are you going?”
“I’m just going home Mrs. Foolo.”
“Fine. Just keep your dog, Muffin, in your own yard!” She said as she pointed to Muffin’s little ‘accident’.
“Fine.”
Mrs. Foolo was the meanest lady in Cranville—at  least to June Marie. She was always nice to everyone but her, but June Marie never knew why. Every Halloween she would give out candy to everyone except June Marie. She was always cruel to her. June Marie thought that Mrs. Foolo was truly a witch.
Right before June Marie got to her house she saw a very freaky thing on the sidewalk. A bunch of sticks were placed together in the shape of a werewolf. This really freaked her out. The first thing that came to mind was that strange poem. She didn’t know what it meant, but she knew it was bad. So she walked on and went inside her house.
“I’m home!” she screamed.
“Honey, I’m in the den,” Mrs. Spelling answered. June Marie’s mom is really kind. She is a stay-at-home mom and was making decorations. June Marie told her about the carnival booth and her mother was very happy for her. Her father and sister, Sarah, weren’t quite as thrilled but still supported her.
A couple weeks past and it was finally the carnival. Halloween was finally here! Emily’s booth idea won and the cider was a big hit. June Marie and Emily went on most of the rides and while they were taking a break, June Marie noticed that the bobbing for apples contest was open. June Marie, Emily, and the winner of last year’s contest Lori, were against each other. It was a fierce competition. Eventually, the contest was over and June Marie won! But Lori was very jealous of her for stealing her title.
After the contest June Marie and Emily decided to go on the Ferris wheel. The Ferris wheel is the best part of the carnival. It looked like a huge pumpkin. When they were getting on the ride, June Marie noticed that the ticket lady was no other than Mrs. Foolo.
“Hi June Marie. May I have your ticket?” she said in a fake voice. She just handed her the ticket.
“Well I noticed that you won the bobbing for apples contest.”
Suddenly, Lori appeared behind her grandma.
“Yes Grandma that’s the girl who took my title,” she said very crudely. June Marie just looked away.
“Alright it’s your turn June Marie.” Mrs. Foolo said in the same voice.
“Hope you have fun.” Lori said.
“Goodbye June Marie Spelling,” they both said. Then they made a witch’s cackle as the gate closed and she was off.
June Marie was very upset about the way Lori and Mrs. Foolo treated her. She even started to cry. Why did they always treat her so badly? A million ideas crossed her mind. June Marie all of sudden noticed how high up in the air she was. When she looked down she saw all of her family and friends. Everybody was in costume. She closed her eyes and saw monsters, spiders, goblins, and ghouls. Then she opened her eyes and the Ferris wheel was falling apart! June Marie’s life was flashing before her eyes as the pumpkin Ferris wheel was breaking beneath her. As she was looking down she screamed for her life and the scream slowly drifted away.
Nobody knows what happened to June Marie Spelling. Some say that she was crushed to death. Others say that the crashing metal harpooned her. But ever since that Halloween 11 people hear her horrifying scream. But Cranville has never been the same since June Marie’s last Halloween.`

Poor Little Dead Bird

               Poor Little Dead Bird
                   by Michelle Stiles

Poor little dead bird on the side of the road.
How sad it is to watch you corrode.
Your body, which was once light as a feather
Has now become a victim of weather.
You were so beautiful in flight.
Yet no-one now can stand your sight.
Eyes bulged out, flat as a pancake
Trying to get that worm was your final mistake.
Your brothers peck and eat your body.
Cannibalism at its best--I doubt they're sorry.
Must've been ran over by a truck I assume.
Those tumultuous machines that took you too soon.
They say, "now you're free"
"Free as a bird"--now that's bullshit you see.
For a bird is only as free as it can fly
Among the clouds in the iridescent sky.
But now you're gone--lost forever.
Except for your rotten corpse and your tail of feather.
