Image by Stefan Keller from Pixabay Valentine's Story #1 "I thought you like flowers, which is why I bought them for you. Remember you complained that I didn't bring flowers. Now I bring them, and you..." Jom stares at his wife Jasmin in dismay. "How much did you pay for this? We have our mortgage … Continue reading Monday’s Stories (Flash Fiction #106)
Category: Short Story
Romantic Stories (Flash Fiction #105)
Image by stokpic from Pixabay "That's like fifteen years ago when I just started a new job. And I was newly engaged and was thinking of getting married in two or three months. One day I was taking my night shift. He suddenly appeared, seemingly a little out of breath and out of spirit. I … Continue reading Romantic Stories (Flash Fiction #105)
A Love Story (Flash Fiction #104)
Image by homecare119 from Pixabay Tiger's wife is divorcing him and Tiger is crushed. The worst part of it is that he didn't even see it coming. He's kicked out of the house and now he has to move in with his friend Pan and Pan's wife Pammy, staying at their spare bedroom. Pammy is … Continue reading A Love Story (Flash Fiction #104)
Isn’t This Childish? (Flash Fiction #103)
Image by Daniela Dimitrova from Pixabay "Isn't this childish? I mean it's been two days and how long is this going to be? How long are you going to stay mad, for just a word I said. Or a phrase. Or probably a sentence. So what? I apologized, didn't I?" Nu says to his wife … Continue reading Isn’t This Childish? (Flash Fiction #103)
The Lunar New Year Party (Flash Fiction #102)
Image by k-e-k-u-l-é from Pixabay Armei has had relatively good relationship with her mother-in-law Nana, who has been living with them in New Jersey for seven months for the purpose of taking care of the grandson. However Nana is about to leave, flying across the Pacific and going back home, where her other son and … Continue reading The Lunar New Year Party (Flash Fiction #102)
A Good-Natured Woman (Flash Fiction #101)
Image by Sergio Cerrato from Pixabay Fei is a very good-natured woman. She always speaks sweetly and has never lost her temper even once in her life. Most women in her situation would have complained a million times, but not her. Her husband Wei is a little temperamental, but Fei has never complained about her … Continue reading A Good-Natured Woman (Flash Fiction #101)
Hero Or Villain, Crime Or Justice (Flash Fiction #100)
Image by Herbert Bieser from Pixabay This happened in 1960s and it is a true story. I heard it when listening to the conversations between my parents and their friends when I was growing up. I also knew Sister Cabbage, who's a mixture of old age and young passion, severity and naivety, reticence and outbursts. … Continue reading Hero Or Villain, Crime Or Justice (Flash Fiction #100)
That’s Fate (Flash Fiction #99)
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay "Where are you going? You are going to the tournament, right? How much I wish I can stop such an event. No participation. Just observe. You promised." Maylan says to her husband Jay Lai. "Of course. The tournament is half way through already. How can I participate now?" Jay … Continue reading That’s Fate (Flash Fiction #99)
The Fix Up (Flash Fiction #98)
Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay "Koo, I heard that you are such an excellent matchmaker. I mean for a young man, that's quite unique, isn't it? Are you still doing it?" Whenever people say that to Koo, he would smile modestly and reply, "well, it's a complicated undertaking, really. I don't … Continue reading The Fix Up (Flash Fiction #98)
Dreams And Miracles (Flash Fiction #97)
Image by Leandro De Carvalho from Pixabay Rida has been battling her husband Mung for years, but today's battle is more severe than any of the previous ones. Mung took out a loan of $5,000 from their insurance policy without telling her and then sent the money to his hometown in Southeast Asia to buy … Continue reading Dreams And Miracles (Flash Fiction #97)
The Old House (Flash Fiction #96)
Image by Đức Vũ from Pixabay "Let's go visit your grandpa's house in the village. I really want to see how good a mathematician your grandpa was. 'My grandpa built the house with mathematical precision, even better than those science used in building pyramids, even outshine what Da Vinci could do.' That's what you told … Continue reading The Old House (Flash Fiction #96)
He Is Wild (Flash Fiction #95)
Image by Pexels from Pixabay Lo runs a small home improvement and home repair business in Edison, New Jersey, but he is more known for his reckless driving than his occupation. When I first met him, I didn't know his driving reputation. I even took a ride in his car, but now I've already forgotten … Continue reading He Is Wild (Flash Fiction #95)
One Hundred Judges (Flash Fiction #94)
Image by Here and now from Pixabay "If you want my opinion, Dr. Tsai, I would say you should make it more personal. Right now it has a stern official air to it, that it put people off. I will add, you know, like favorite colors, hobbies etc." That's the comment two undergraduate students give … Continue reading One Hundred Judges (Flash Fiction #94)
The Mistake (Flash Fiction #93)
Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay Whatever happens, he is not going to give up smoking. That's his last shred of comfort left in his life and he refuses to surrender it. Ever since they bought the house, he and his wife have been struggling to pay the mortgage and the property tax. Needless to … Continue reading The Mistake (Flash Fiction #93)
The King And The Thief (Continued)
Image by Yuri_B from Pixabay This is the second portion of the story. The first portion is here. Jang sees the posts everywhere in the city and wonders if he should take the challenge. There's the risk, but there's also "the #1 thief" reputation he wants to defend. He concocts several plans: He can change … Continue reading The King And The Thief (Continued)
The Kidnap And The Witch (Continued)
tree_sunset Image by Tien Vu from Pixabay Continued from the previous post here. Lana doesn't know what to do. And here on the island of Asiana, people pray to the forest god when they can't find a way to save themselves. When they become tired of their praying, they go to see Wich, who lives … Continue reading The Kidnap And The Witch (Continued)
The Kidnap And The Witch (Flash Fiction #92)
tree_sunset Image by Tien Vu from Pixabay The story happens on the fictitious island of Asiana, located between East Malaysia and the Philippine. It's a beautiful island with little economic development, which is largely due to the political situation. During the waning days of the British Empire after WWII, a political manipulation was executed so … Continue reading The Kidnap And The Witch (Flash Fiction #92)
Insufficient Praise (Flash Fiction #91)
Image by Kevin Phillips from Pixabay "Can you believe that Arju complains about her daughter Niki all the time? What kind of mother does that? Every time when she talks about her daughter, she would complain: Niki didn't come home on time last weekend; Niki spent too much time on her theater activities; Niki wears … Continue reading Insufficient Praise (Flash Fiction #91)
A Night To Forget (Continued)
Image by NickyPe from Pixabay This is the second half of the story. The first half is here. "What are you going to do? You don't know anything. Typical women. You know nothing." The waiters taunt her. "Idiots like you never listen to women. Of course you think women know nothing. But I guess the … Continue reading A Night To Forget (Continued)
A Night To Forget (Flash Fiction #90)
Image by NickyPe from Pixabay It takes Nali the whole Saturday to troubleshoot the database, pinpoint the reason why it is slowing down, rewrite queries, and reconfigure essential tables. When it's all over, it's seven o'clock at night. She drove from Edison, New Jersey that morning, up the Garden State Parkway and the I-87 Highway. … Continue reading A Night To Forget (Flash Fiction #90)
Pursuit Of Happiness Part 3
Image by inno kurnia from Pixabay This is the last part of the story. The first two parts are here and here. Taimu starts his long soliloquy about this party, this award, the culmination of twenty years of tireless research. Lulan listens to him and wonders why he wants to talk about his work on … Continue reading Pursuit Of Happiness Part 3
Pursuit Of Happiness Part 2
Image by inno kurnia from Pixabay This is the second part of the story. The first part of the story is here. Taimu unexpectedly shows up at the Ivy Training Center. "Why did you come? I told you I would come to pick up the kid. You know you never listen to me. That's your … Continue reading Pursuit Of Happiness Part 2
Pursuit Of Happiness Part 1 (Flash Fiction #89)
Image by inno kurnia from Pixabay "He says I'm not in pursuit of happiness. I'm just a killjoy." Dana says and then she looks around, waiting for the sympathetic outpouring from her friends Lulan, Pammy, and Ivy. She's not disappointed. They instantly lend their support--they agree with Dana while denouncing Dana's husband Taimu in a … Continue reading Pursuit Of Happiness Part 1 (Flash Fiction #89)
An Audition Goes Awry (Flash Fiction #88)
Image by cocoparisienne from Pixabay Jan Choi did her best. She sings, dances, recites in varying languages, multiple tones, and diverse styles, but to no avail. Even before the audition is over, she can sense the judges' unconvinced facial expressions and unexpressed disapproval. "Jan, you are very talented indeed." The casting director says after he … Continue reading An Audition Goes Awry (Flash Fiction #88)
The King And The Thief (Flash Fiction #87)
Image by Yuri_B from Pixabay Jang is a thief, living in the later part of the 19th century. When he's thirty years old, he becomes so successful in his trade and so infamous in his native city--the capital of a small Asian kingdom--that a young struggling writer, Winsam, writes a book about him based on … Continue reading The King And The Thief (Flash Fiction #87)
Thanksgiving Family Stories
Image by Karolina Grabowska from Pixabay There are several Thanksgiving stories I can write. I haven't formed them in completion yet, but the contents are already there, except an interesting ending. Often there are so much time spent on ending while other parts of a story are not getting enough attention. A Thanksgiving Wedding Chef … Continue reading Thanksgiving Family Stories
A Cat Named Meowlan (Flash Fiction #86)
Image by Doris Metternich from Pixabay "Your name will be Meowlan." Cindy Chai says to the cat in the animal shelter, with whom she falls in love at the first sight. No doubt she's under the influence of the movie "Mulan" she just watched. Meowlan lives for two wonderful years with Cindy. Her only responsibility … Continue reading A Cat Named Meowlan (Flash Fiction #86)
One Story Two Views (Flash Fiction #85)
Image by jessica45 from Pixabay "In 1969, Ted Conrad was working in Cleveland as a bank teller. He walked out on a Friday carrying $215,000, the equivalent of more than $1.7 million today. It is said Conrad was obsessed with the movie 'The Thomas Crown Affair', in which a millionaire robs banks for fun. After … Continue reading One Story Two Views (Flash Fiction #85)
The House Inspector (Flash Fiction #84)
Image by Comfreak from Pixabay "It's global warming. I've already told you and explained to you everything. What do you expect me to do?" Jin yells into the phone. "You are the inspector who inspected and signed off on the house. I am going to sue you." Chichi's voice comes through the phone even louder … Continue reading The House Inspector (Flash Fiction #84)
Sugarcoating (Flash Fiction #83)
Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay "I want to stop all the lies. From now on, no sugarcoating, no spinning, no prevarication. I will be honest, straightforward, open." Pammy says to her friends Armei and Lulan. It's Sunday morning. The three women are sitting at one of the outdoor tables of the Korean bakery Paris … Continue reading Sugarcoating (Flash Fiction #83)
A Fashionable Lady (Flash Fiction #82)
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay Mayla looks at the mirror and smiles with satisfaction at her own image. She never considered herself a fashionable girl before, but a series of recent events have somehow changed her view. First time in her life, she thinks if money is no objection, she wants to be as fashionable … Continue reading A Fashionable Lady (Flash Fiction #82)
The Haunted House (Flash Fiction #81)
Image by Brigitte from Pixabay "No matter how hard I try, I just can't unload this house. I am sure it is not haunted, but nobody believes me." Soo says. "It's next to a graveyard. That's a dead give away. You know we are superstitious. I think we Asians are the most superstitious of all … Continue reading The Haunted House (Flash Fiction #81)
The Price Of Beauty (Flash Fiction #80)
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay This is a true story and it is a sequel to the previous true story "The Interview" here, but you don't need to read the previous story in order to follow this one. Jennifer Chung is an Asian immigrant who grew up in his parents' takeout restaurant. She got … Continue reading The Price Of Beauty (Flash Fiction #80)
Ivy And Tom (Flash Fiction #79)
Image by Kiều Trường from Pixabay "You know Tom just repeats himself so often. I really want to ask him to stop, but I just can't do it." Ivy says. She's talking about her husband Tom Tsai. They've been married for twenty years now and have a good manageable relationship. Ivy's idea of a good … Continue reading Ivy And Tom (Flash Fiction #79)
I Want To Be Liked (Flash Fiction #78)
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay Kung is about to attend a conference on mathematics in Boston, where he's going to give a presentation. It's not just a simple talk to present one's research data, but rather it's like an unofficial interview. People who appreciate what he says will likely to hire him and offer him … Continue reading I Want To Be Liked (Flash Fiction #78)
The End Of The Affair (Flash Fiction #77)
Image by Sammy-Williams from Pixabay Pammy and her husband Tan are attending a backyard harvest party at Ivy's house in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Pammy didn't plan to come, but Tan's cousin Maylan is here for the weekend. She's attending graduate school in Philadelphia and is writing a term paper on urban organic farming and … Continue reading The End Of The Affair (Flash Fiction #77)
The Interview (Flash Fiction #76)
Jennifer Chung doesn't think she stands a chance, but she knows she has to go to this interview. It's a well known company and a good position, which is something Jennifer has always dreamed of but known that she won't be able to reach. She is just too nice, too introverted, too plain an Asian … Continue reading The Interview (Flash Fiction #76)
The Old Fox (Flash Fiction #75)
Ming is a poor artist who does online videos, creates cartoons and posters. He wants to marry Lily for years, but Lily's father Dun won't allow it. Dun looks down upon artists and poor artists especially annoy him. Ming and Lily could get married without Dun's blessing, but they are looking forward to some financial … Continue reading The Old Fox (Flash Fiction #75)
Change Causes Anxiety
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay One day many years ago, I was reading a romantic story about two lovers--one saves the other from an impending danger and a certain death. I thought to myself what my parents would do in such a situation. My conclusion was that they would certainly save each other, only … Continue reading Change Causes Anxiety
An Unexpected Competition (Flash Fiction #74)
Image by Manuel Alejandro Leon from Pixabay Jintu is the chef of "The Royal Garden" in New Jersey. If you talk about any other dish or any other chef in his presence, you are going to run into a big argument with him. He considers himself the king of food and cooking, and he is … Continue reading An Unexpected Competition (Flash Fiction #74)
I Can’t Believe It’s Him (Flash Fiction #73)
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay This is a sequel to the previous story "Who's More Suitable" here. However there's no need to go to the link if you review the following background. It is based on a true story. Every fall, Ivy and her husband Tom Tsai, the owners of Ivy Training Center in … Continue reading I Can’t Believe It’s Him (Flash Fiction #73)
A Passenger In The Twilight (Flash Fiction #72)
Wong looks out the window of his office and curses the passing train. He's been working all day in his accounting office, almost non-stop, just to meet a tax deadline for several of his procrastinating clients. He's a man of mild temper but he hates trains. The trains pass right underneath the window of his … Continue reading A Passenger In The Twilight (Flash Fiction #72)
Pammy’s Adventure (Flash Fiction #71)
Image by Darkmoon_Art from Pixabay Pammy doesn't know how she comes to this part of the township. She's never been here before. Why did she choose this path? The trees are so thickly grown that it feels gloomy since the sun can't shine through. Or probably it is in the dusk of evening already. She … Continue reading Pammy’s Adventure (Flash Fiction #71)
Quote Of The Day #26
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay I think these quotes should be called anti-quotes rather than quotes since they sound downright ridiculous. I like H. L. Mencken a lot but still whenever the topics of relationship and women come up, he talks like a mad man--a very entertaining mad man but still a mad man. … Continue reading Quote Of The Day #26
Who’s More Suitable (Flash Fiction #70)
Image by MarieXMartin from Pixabay "Lil is a wonderful lady, but she's not suitable to be a speaker at our event." Lulan says. Jil shows up in the previous story "The Harvest" here. "Well, she's good looking, wealthy, with a perfect husband and a brilliant kid. She's everything that we are not. We are just … Continue reading Who’s More Suitable (Flash Fiction #70)
The Harvest (Flash Fiction #69)
Image by Jerzy Górecki from Pixabay Lulan sees Lil in the grocery store from afar and she immediately turns around for the purpose of avoiding her. Lil is one of those forever positive people that Lulan can't understand and can't communicate with. When all the women are whining about the lack of attention from their … Continue reading The Harvest (Flash Fiction #69)
A Little Disturbance (Flash Fiction #68)
Image by Maciej Cieslak from Pixabay This is a sequel to the previous story "Ida And Superstition" here. However there's no need to read the previous story to follow the little plot here. Yik opens a new takeout restaurant in Edison, New Jersey. Expecting a slow start, he is prepared to struggle for several months … Continue reading A Little Disturbance (Flash Fiction #68)
That’s Not What I Had In Mind (Flash Fiction #67)
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay "Sixty years ago your grandfather studied abroad. He aspired to be an engineer before he went away, but coming back he's bitten by the literary bug and was a man of literature. In his hometown on the island of Penang, off the coast of Malaysia, he built a theater … Continue reading That’s Not What I Had In Mind (Flash Fiction #67)
I Am Not Negative (Flash Fiction #66)
Image by cocoparisienne from Pixabay Whenever Ivy meets Dan, she feels a pang of regret. Dan is a distant relative of Ivy on Ivy's father's side. If this were in Ivy's hometown in Southeast Asia, Ivy wouldn't even think about Dan since Ivy has dozens of relatives who are closer to her. However this is … Continue reading I Am Not Negative (Flash Fiction #66)
Ida And Superstition (Flash Fiction #65)
Yip and Yik are two brothers who used to run a restaurant together on Old Post Road in Edison Township, New Jersey. However after their father died, the two brothers split. Their wives didn't get along for years and everybody said it was inevitable that the two owners would go their separate ways. Yip is … Continue reading Ida And Superstition (Flash Fiction #65)
Man And Woman (Flash Fiction #64)
Image by Digital Photo and Design DigiPD.com from Pixabay "Pan, this weekend when we meet Wendi, make sure you compliment her. You know her little surgery on the lips, eye corners, and upper arms cost a pretty penny. I think she's a little hurt you didn't say anything last time. We are old friends and … Continue reading Man And Woman (Flash Fiction #64)
The Open House (Flash Fiction #63)
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay "Look. That's the cat I was talking about. She's the head of the cat colony headquartered in the backyard here," says Manak, a precocious girl of 13. "Tragedies follow the little feline like a shadow--her partners run away one after another, and half of her offspring die of mysterious … Continue reading The Open House (Flash Fiction #63)
The Royal Garden (Flash Fiction #62)
Image by Manuel Alejandro Leon from Pixabay Let's just suppose, for the sake of the story, the name of the Asian restaurant is "The Royal Garden" and the name of its owner is Jinmu, who is of indeterminable age, average height, slim, quick of steps, keen of mind. It's a popular restaurant. The interior is … Continue reading The Royal Garden (Flash Fiction #62)
Man And Woman (Flash Fiction #61)
This story is a sequel to "Cheetah vs Ostrich" of three days ago. "Can you believe that he laughs when the two cheetahs devours the female ostrich?" Pammy says to her friends Armei and Lulu. This is at a weekend picnic Pammy has organized for the three families. Their husbands and children are also present. … Continue reading Man And Woman (Flash Fiction #61)
The Gift (Flash Fiction #60)
Image by Michael Schwarzenberger from Pixabay "What am I to do with this gift?" Ivy sighs when she stares at the plastic tree, which is about four feet tall with a base made of indeterminable material painted brown to look like a real flower pot. It was sent to her by one of her clients. … Continue reading The Gift (Flash Fiction #60)
Cheetah vs Ostrich (Flash Fiction #59)
Image by Christine Sponchia from Pixabay Two ostriches, obviously dating, the male being a little bigger than the female, are walking leisurely on a grassland sparsely donned by trees. Suddenly two cheetahs jump out of nowhere. They chase after the male ostrich first since he's closer to them. The male runs for his dear life. … Continue reading Cheetah vs Ostrich (Flash Fiction #59)
The Unexpected Party (Flash Fiction #58)
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay It's during the late afternoon hours when the door bell sounded and the guests arrived. However the hosts Pammy and her husband Pan had no idea what's going on. They had not invited anybody for dinner, not that they knew of. The guests included Armei and her husband Arhu, Lulu … Continue reading The Unexpected Party (Flash Fiction #58)
Let’s Meet For Dinner (Flash Fiction #57)
Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay Cindy wonders if Amin is going to breakup with her. "Let's meet for dinner. Our usual place." That's what his message says and that's what Cindy is worried as she arrives at their usual place. The hour is early and there are not many patrons in … Continue reading Let’s Meet For Dinner (Flash Fiction #57)
What Is Happening To Her (Flash Fiction #56)
Pammy drives as fast as she can. Actually she has never driven so fast before, but what can she do? Is Armei really killing herself? It is too frightening to even think about it. The business is slow in Armei's little cosmetic shop, and the relationship between Armei and her husband Arhu is strained. But … Continue reading What Is Happening To Her (Flash Fiction #56)
Is That What You Want (Flash Fiction #55)
Image by Pezibear from Pixabay "You know Mencken once described an average person's life in New York as a sardine in a can while the grass and the so called parks look like embalmed sauerkraut." Lulu says. Pammy says, "what is a sour craft? I don't know any sour craft, but I do know that … Continue reading Is That What You Want (Flash Fiction #55)
Father And Son (Flash Fiction #54)
Image by Pexels from Pixabay "Can you talk with your son Jack? He's really not study very hard at all. His grades are falling and he's more interested in playing video games than anything else." Armei says to her husband Arhu one day. Whenever Armei says "your son", Arhu knows that Jack has been doing … Continue reading Father And Son (Flash Fiction #54)
An Unlikely Love Story (Flash Fiction #53)
"I can't remember a thing. I don't know what I did." Jina says repeatedly but no one believes her. It happened a week ago when the most handsome and popular boy on campus asked her to go out for bubble tea and talk over an article. Jina is the acting editor of the college newspaper. … Continue reading An Unlikely Love Story (Flash Fiction #53)
A Wonderful Girl (Flash Fiction #52)
Pammy and Lulu come to the little cosmetic shop Armei is running, next to an Asian grocery store in a popular plaza. The three haven't met for a while and they have quite a lot of catch-up to do. The customers are scarce and the cosmetic store is not doing very well these days. People … Continue reading A Wonderful Girl (Flash Fiction #52)
The Battle Of Love (Flash Fiction #51)
Image by gene1970 from Pixabay "I am going to kill him. This is too much. I've spent all my life trying to please him, coddle him, and chase after him, only to be rewarded with his evasiveness and his pathological lies. Now this plane ticket is the last straw. Where is he going? Who is … Continue reading The Battle Of Love (Flash Fiction #51)
A Trip To New York City (Flash Fiction #50)
Image by Frank Winkler from Pixabay "Why is New York City called Big Apple?" Hitan asks "I don't know." Ivy replies. "As a tour guide, you really don't know your stuff." Hitan jokes good-naturedly. "I'm not a tour guide. I'm the owner of the Ivy Tutoring Center. Since most of the bilingual tour guide companies … Continue reading A Trip To New York City (Flash Fiction #50)
The Backyard Party (Flash Fiction #49)
Image by StockSnap from Pixabay They grill hamburgers, onions, fish cakes, pineapple slices in the backyard and the food is so good. Mrs. Yee surely knows how to prepare all the ingredients. At first everybody is very interested in what Mr. Yee has to say. He tells one anecdote after another, to his own amusement … Continue reading The Backyard Party (Flash Fiction #49)
Girl Fight (Flash Non-Fiction #48)
"To fight, you have to get yourself dirty." George Orwell says that, but who wants to be dirty? We all want to be as clean, tidy, and pretty as we can, and often we worry that we are not clean, tidy and pretty enough. There are certain movies which can combine prettiness with a fighting … Continue reading Girl Fight (Flash Non-Fiction #48)
Sports, Grammar, And Love (Flash Non-Fiction #47)
Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay Every four years when Olympic ads hit the TV screen, I would think of him. Not that he's an Olympic athlete or anything. He's not, but he's the only one among the people I'm familiar with who loves sports and is pretty good at it. It was 8th grade … Continue reading Sports, Grammar, And Love (Flash Non-Fiction #47)
Language And Custom (Flash Non-Fiction #46)
Photo by Jazmin Quaynor on Unsplash This morning, as I spent ten minutes to review some Thai phrases from a website, I suddenly remember several strange incidents happened in school when I was learning English as a second language. I can't remember exactly when this happened, but it could be when I was a forth … Continue reading Language And Custom (Flash Non-Fiction #46)
A Relationship Speculator (Flash Fiction #45)
Image by Jamie Nakamura from Pixabay Pammy: "I've never seen Armei and Arhu quarreling this much before. Almost everything Arhu said, his wife Armei objected. I wonder what has happened to the two. I observed them at the party. Glad the party is over and we are home now." Pammy's husband Pan: "Really? I hardly … Continue reading A Relationship Speculator (Flash Fiction #45)
The Presentation (Flash Fiction #44)
Photo by Alexander Schimmeck on Unsplash Pam is going to give a presentation in a conference and she comes to Ivy Training Center to seek help. Since everybody is occupied, Ivy ends up assisting Pam. The Ivy Training Center almost went out of business several months ago--business was slow to a crawl due to pandemic … Continue reading The Presentation (Flash Fiction #44)
The Superstition (Flash Fiction #43)
Photo by Jari Hytönen on Unsplash Pammy finally gets her real estate license after taking the real estate test several times. And she helps Mr. Goh Yee and his wife to purchase their house in Plainsboro Township, New Jersey. Goh is a businessman from Malaysia and the only reason he wants to buy a house … Continue reading The Superstition (Flash Fiction #43)
In Six Languages (Flash Fiction #42)
The Yang family has been running a takeout restaurant in this northeastern New Jersey town for 17 years. They have a daughter Lisa who's a 15-year-old and a son who's 10. When Lisa was born, the Yang family couldn't afford a babysitter. Lisa spent all day in the kitchen of the little takeout restaurant with … Continue reading In Six Languages (Flash Fiction #42)
The Herbal Medicine (Flash Fiction #41)
Image by Stefan Keller from Pixabay "I'm afraid I need to return this." Penni stands at counter of the vacant little grocery store. "My store has a no return policy for any package that's opened." Leong, the store owner says sternly. "It's opened, but I couldn't use it. I got cold feet and dropped the … Continue reading The Herbal Medicine (Flash Fiction #41)
Romance And Pandemic (Flash Fiction #40)
Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash Here is another story of the family of Nita, her husband Lian, and her son Kevin. There's a previous story about the family here on the topic of superfluity--the two stories are not related and there's no need to read the previous story to understand the current story. Nita's … Continue reading Romance And Pandemic (Flash Fiction #40)
The Russian Friend (Flash Fiction #39)
Photo by Cristofer Jeschke on Unsplash Lia is a new part time hire at Ivy Learning Center, which has many overqualified full time and part time teachers to tutor local kids--mainly from the surrounding middle schools and high schools. Summer is usually the busy time when anxious parents want to push their kids on SAT … Continue reading The Russian Friend (Flash Fiction #39)
The Italian Name (Flash Fiction #38)
Image by Pexels from Pixabay "Can I also have a can of orange soda?" Armei says to the kid behind the counter, who looks like he's hardly out of high school. Armei can't even remember the days when she's out of high school. That's so long ago and she's growing old. "You mean the 'San … Continue reading The Italian Name (Flash Fiction #38)
Haoyan Do 