Bar Story

 

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Bar Story

by Paula Gail Benson

An elf, a reindeer, and a snowman walk into a bar. Really. They find places at the crowded counter, and each orders an Arctic beer. The elf downs his in a gulp—for courage to face more toy-making. The reindeer slurps his and orders another mugful, checking the reddening of his nose in a mirror. The snowman futilely clinks his glass against his line of black coal teeth, hating that he can never taste the beverage. With a sigh, he looks at the puddle developing beneath him—wishing someday that he might leave behind something other than a watery trail.

 ***

This 100-word story is offered as an entry for the annual Advent Ghosts event hosted by Loren Eaton at I Saw Lightning Fall. See the other entries there. Thanks, Loren, for the opportunity! 

Continuing The Babas Dilemma: Parts Two through Four of a Four Part Tale

Tato’s Mama’s Story: The Adopted Snow Child (Part Two of a Four Part Tale)

NJSV Snow Maiden Doll

by Paula Gail Benson

          Tato’s mama looked sternly at the assembled grandchildren. They fidgeted and giggled. “No respect,” she muttered.

          “Listen,” I instructed my cousins. “So you can judge.”

          They quieted. She began:

“At midnight on Christmas Eve, a childless couple fashioned a snow baby. The next morning, the baby came to life, a beautiful girl they named, Snegurochka.”

          “Like Pinocchio?”

          Tato’s mama ignored the question.

          “Snegurochka played with the other girls. They went into the woods and made a great fire. The others jumped over it. But, when Snegurochka tried, she melted away.”

          Everyone was silent. Then, the youngest granddaughter began to cry.

 

Mama’s Mama’s Story: The Icy Immortal (Part Three of a Four Part Tale)

Ded Moroz

 by Paula Gail Benson

          “Coddled,” Tato’s mama huffed.

          Mama’s mama tsk-tsked. “They are caring. My turn.”

          Silently, the grandchildren listened.

          “Traditionally, Snegurochka accompanies Ded Moroz to distribute Christmas presents.”

          “Ah, Grandfather Frost,” said one child.

          “Father Christmas,” another insisted

          Mama’s mama raised her hand for quiet. “Snegurochka was created from snow by Ded Moroz and Spring, both immortals. When Snegurochka sought to befriend a mortal shepherd boy, Spring allowed her to feel love. But the warmth in Snegurochka’s heart caused her to melt.”

          “Like Frosty?” asked one child.

          “Why are both versions so sad?” another wondered.

          The Babas shook their scarfed heads in unison.

  

Iryna’s Question (Part Four of a Four Part Tale)

Father Frost and Snow Maiden Ornament

 

by Paula Gail Benson

           Neither Baba’s story won the contest. They walked away, huddled together, despairing no respect for tradition and blaming American child-rearing.

          Later, in her room, I found Iryna, my youngest sister, comparing two books. One told the immortal Snegurochka’s story. The other was The Wizard of Oz.

Hallmark Keepsake Ornament

          I sat beside her. “What are you thinking?”

          “The Tin Man and Snegurochka were hurt by receiving hearts. If they remained heartless, couldn’t they love each other?”

          Hopeful little matchmaker, I thought. Smiling, I placed my arm across her shoulders. “Only with pain does one know love is real.”

          With a sigh, Iryna nodded.

 

Snow Maiden
Glass Ornament

 ***

These three 100-word stories are offered as entries for the annual Advent Ghosts event hosted by Loren Eaton at I Saw Lightning Fall. See the other entries there. Thanks, Loren, for the opportunity!  

The Babas’ Dilemma (Part One of a Four Part Tale)

by Paula Gail Benson

By Viktor Vasnetsov

            My two Ukrainian Babas sat with their scarfed heads touching. Their fierce tempers showed in the whispers spewing from their lips.

“What is it?” I, the favorite grandchild, asked.

Tato’s mama said, “The American babies beg for us to tell the Snow Maiden story.”

“You have heard it many times.”

Mama’s mama replied, “In different ways.”

“How different?” I asked.

“In one version, she is a child crafted from snow by mortals,” Tato’s mama explained.

“No,” Mama’s mama maintained. “She is the daughter of immortals who seeks to love a mortal.”

I advised, “Tell both and let the children decide.”

 ***

This 100 word story is offered as an entry for the annual Advent Ghosts event hosted by Loren Eaton at I Saw Lightning Fall. See the other entries there. Thanks, Loren, for the opportunity! 

Second Chances

 by Paula Gail Benson

          Despite Heaven’s beauty and comfort, the wait outside Saint Peter’s office seemed interminable. Griffin sighed.

          The female admin viewed him sympathetically. “You miss your earthly wife.”

          “We spent every Christmas together. Now she thinks I haunt her spitefully.”

          The admin’s youthful face clouded. “She wants to move on.”

          “She’s found someone else.”

          The admin made no response. Griffin turned and saw his own pain reflected in her eyes.

          Finally, the admin spoke. “I died young. My true love and I never connected on earth.”

          “Is there still a chance?” Griffin asked.

          She smiled. “Perhaps. Can you set your wife free?”

***

This 100 word story is offered as an entry for the annual Advent Ghosts event hosted by Loren Eaton at I Saw Lightning Fall. See the other entries there. Thanks, Loren, for the opportunity! 

 

Punk Noir Magazine

 by Paula Gail Benson

Punk Noir Magazine

I discovered a great online publication: Punk Noir Magazine. James C. Jenkins, the July editor, accepted submissions with the theme corruption. Following are the stories, the first two by favorite authors: “Wait a Minute” by Kaye George; “The Medicine Show” by John M. Floyd; “Town Ain’t What It Used to Be” by Jay Bukowski; “Export Issue W/R/T/ Poison Inner Sleeve” by Clem Flowers; “Heart of Darkness” by Daniel Schultz; “Why Slagfield, Texas, Gave Up Football” by Stephen Sossaman; and three flash fictions: “New Borns” by L.P. Ring; “Las Cucarachas” by Ron Riekke; and “The Other Cheek” by Matthew R. Davis.

Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit!

Brenna Bunt/Getty Images/Readers Digest

by Paula Gail Benson

Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit! In Great Britain and North America (particularly New England) repeating “rabbit” or saying “white rabbit” upon waking on the first day of the month was considered a way to ensure good luck or presents. According to Wikipedia, such diverse sources as Trixie Belden and President Franklin Rosevelt indulged in the practice. While some thought of rabbits and a rabbit's foot as lucky, others view them less favorably. In the 19th century, fishermen would not say the word while at sea. Similarly, seeing a white rabbit could mean a gravely ill person in the village would die soon.

New Year, New Book!

 by Paula Gail Benson

I received the happiest news on New Year’s Eve: Promophobia, a book several years in production was being released! Diane Vallere, while completing her term as Sisters in Crime national President, sought members’ contributions to a book about publicity and using social media. I asked if she would take an article describing how to promote short stories and was delighted when she agreed. Time passed as a publisher was secured. Finally, about a month ago, Diane requested that we update our submissions. The result is a terrific guidebook for marketing crime fiction written by extraordinary authors. Please check it out!