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Short Stories




Spencer by Jahri Ann Spence�s life is filled with ups-and-downs. Police is after him, circumstances keep arising. He is invo... [4,984 words]
Liberia by Jahri Ann About a girl that lived in New York but now lives in Jamaica and is appalled at the delapidated culture... [2,260 words]
Cemetery Road by Randall Barfield "What was that? There's someone out there," she exclaimed. [444 words]
Cornileus Capers:A World Of Darkness-Episode 1...The Light In The Dark,The Beginning by Jay Little It's about a man surviving... [1,800 words]
Stanley by Jimmy Mason A short story of a woman and a boy caught in reversal of life. [721 words]
White Horses by Theresa C Newbill - [993 words]
Uncle Reggie's Study Room by Randall Barfield - [268 words]
Una Ma�ana Mas - One More Tomorrow by Theresa C Newbill - [1,007 words]
Tom's Moon by Liilia Morrison A little doll makes a difference [857 words]
The Talisman Trilogy: The Emperor's Nine Lives by Mariah Neuhauser An archaeologist and a New York Times journalist set out on an a... [1,770 words]
The Salty Skeleton by Theresa C Newbill Haitian Voodoo [1,000 words]
The Night Falls by Jeremiah Semien The story is about one brother, who decided to fake, his own death, to collect money until, one... [9,673 words]
The Mystic Vagabond by Theresa C Newbill - [525 words]
The Mysterious Gypsy by Liilia Morrison Among old photos of Northern people, an exotic gypsy's photo appears. Who is she? [1,457 words]
The Little Gods by Michael Potter A short story fantasy about a young couple who are given a flying saucer. [4,814 words]
The Engagement by Theresa C Newbill - [1,641 words]
The Child Prophet by Newbill - [990 words]
The Airport by Newbill - [346 words]
Thank You For Not Sleeping by Liilia Morrison Thoughts go all over the page during the night [1,257 words]
Taxman by Neil Southern Taxman or Bounty Hunter? [592 words]
Residual Effect by Theresa C Newbill - [623 words]
Reflections 1 by Theresa C Newbill - [534 words]
Phantasmagoria by Leanne Nev A teenage girl experiences the peer pressure of a bully disguised as a best friend [2,080 words]
Peter The Goldfish by Kaitlin Kingdon - [428 words]
Nostradamus's Revenge by Theresa C Newbill - [197 words]
My Journey by Kevin Miller The interpretation is up to you. [765 words]
Menopause by Doc Byron A woman going through the ''change of life'' has had enough [297 words]
Latifondo At Sunset by Tarek Karkoutly The Matazarro crime family has been collaborating with a representative of the christian de... [2,721 words]
Kylie by Liilia Morrison Success is not always what we think it is. A girl chooses between fame or love. [1,700 words]
Just Another Joe by Liilia Morrison A gumshoe takes it as it comes [1,096 words]
It Was Raining by Randall Barfield "Let's not talk about it right now, Mama..." [368 words]
I Will Kill You by Doc Byron - [196 words]
I Have Chosen You by Neil Southern This is just for you and no-one else. [198 words]
How Lizard Lenny Svaed My Life by Liilia Morrison A woman escapes life under the El thanks to a man called Lizard Lenny [1,255 words]
Garlic, Ginger And Golden Seal by Liilia Morrison An old woman's recipe for a long life [1,868 words]
Flicker Of Light by Jeffrey Williams Randall Barker, a retired republican strategist, seeks to make the city repair a broken street... [2,146 words]
First Boom (He & Salman) by Anoop Menon first boom is my collection of short stories about the new age citizens of Bombay (in... [1,744 words]
El Gallito (The Rooster) by Theresa C Newbill Political [745 words]
Dragon's Salvation by Brian Money As the title suggests, a short story about dragons which i used for my GCSE English coursewo... [2,736 words]
Down In The Country by Liilia Morrison The end of the line ain't what it's cracked up to be. [840 words]
Dogs, Cats, And Babies by Doc Byron A tale of pet/sibling rivalry [237 words]
Doctor Trek - Sammy's War by Ian Kidd When Cody vanishes, Sammy Davis Jnr (no relation) finds himself on the run in a unive... [12,485 words]
Desert by Gabriel Campbell - [855 words]
Child Predator by Brian J Hankins Please don't read this if you are easily offended by harse laungage, or obsenities towards manki... [738 words]
Catch A Rising Star
Beautiful Is The Night by Newbill - [247 words]
As It Comes by Liilia Morrison A discarded, ragged notebook found on the sidewalk brings impressions and thoughts to the person wh... [756 words]
Abigail's Blessing by Newbill - [592 words]
A Werewolf? by Liilia Morrison A man entrances a woman in Miami, or is he a werewolf? [1,492 words]
A Treat For Heinke by Liilia Morrison A girl finds hope during wartime [1,028 words]
A Tale Of Exile by Newbill - [432 words]
A Rainly Day In New York City by Newbill - [585 words]
A Man Named Joe by Brian J Hankins One man's wasted life as an alcoholic and the impact it had on his son. [2,532 words]
A Gun On A Summers Day by Jessi A couple of random sentences about guns. And nature. [123 words]

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TITLE (EDIT)
Catch A Rising Star
DESCRIPTION
"It's Luis, Jaime..." the old man stammered.
[496 words]
TITLE KEYWORD
Literary Fiction
AUTHOR
Randall Barfield
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
-US citizen living and working in the capital of Colombia, South America. Teaches EFL and IELTS, and TOEFL (any test prep). Proofreads English essays, theses, and books, etc. Private classes accepted. Also writes at abctales.com; microhorror.com; postcardshorts.com; authorsden.com. Contact: www.officeteachr.com
[May 2010]
AUTHOR'S E-MAIL ADDRESS
[email protected]
AUTHOR'S OTHER TITLES (281)
2nd Interview With The President (Plays) It's Barb again and President Branch. I'll try. Hope somebody likes it. [1,300 words] [Humor]
A Colombia Hatred-Free (Poetry) Of course, it isn't just Colombia, is it? [52 words] [Writing Resource]
A Dream Comes True (Non-Fiction) This is nostalgia and reflection. It's a short piece of writing dedicated to young Rodger Wesley Beaver of Georgia who was killed by a "sheriff's deputy"(God protect us from those like him.) on Valen... [951 words] [Biography]
A Flower Today In Words (Poetry) - [40 words]
A Georgia Crossroads (Non-Fiction) Where does it lie? [325 words] [Writing Resource]
A Little Poem My Child (Children) - [79 words] [Humor]
A Matter Of Timing, Frankly (Short Stories) - [736 words] [Literary Fiction]
A Million Times Plus One (Poetry) I have never stopped loving the tune "A Whiter Shade of Pale." I heard it the first time at age 16 or 17. Here is a little piece I completed recently while listening to the song over and over. So, ... [234 words] [Relationships]
A Monster Of Monsters (Non-Fiction) Why did we ever let him get this far? [208 words] [Horror]
A Parent's Lament (Genres) Some say it's never too late. [260 words] [Teenage]
A Perfected Perpetuation Plan For Today's Young Yahoos (Poetry) No one has the right to rob a bank, but each has the right to draw up her/his floor plans for life. [219 words] [Writing Resource]
A Purple Jacket (Short Stories) - [494 words] [Motivational]
A Quiet House (Short Stories) - [257 words] [Teenage]
A Red May Rose For Thee (Poetry) - [45 words] [Motivational]
A Royal Ring Up (Plays) Is this anger on my part? What should I care? But anyway, here it is... [808 words] [Drama]
A Soldier's Letter (Poetry) Far from the familiar our words are often sweeter, are they not? [109 words] [Romance]
A Songbird's Intellect (Poetry) - [4 words] [Spiritual]
A Troubled Nation In Need Of Prayer And Soul-Searching: How To Repair It (Non-Fiction) Send you suggestions/contributions in 40 words or less to [email protected] Thank you. [89 words] [History]
A Visit (Short Stories) - [245 words] [Teenage]
About Daddy (1) (Non-Fiction) Daddy had his own emotional problems... [359 words] [Biography]
About Daddy Series (Non-Fiction) - [4,424 words] [Biography]
About Respect And Prestige (Non-Fiction) - [352 words] [Psychology]
Abrakadeebra: A Celebration Of Children's Verse No. 1 (Children) More fun little poems/verses for those special readers of mine. I hope you enjoy them. Let me know which ones need a bit of modification. Cheers. [2,799 words] [Humor]
Abrakadomebra: A 2nd Celebration Of Children's Verse (Children) More exciting(some are, anyway) little poems/verses about Frosty, Benny the Blackbird, Jack and Jill, etc. for children's laughter. Cheers. [2,349 words] [Humor]
Abrakadoobra: 100 Short Poems For Children (Children) Sometimes I enjoy writing or trying to write poems for children moreso than for adults. Would that be bad or good? Maybe neither. Please let me know which ones you or your kid likes or dislikes. I'... [3,527 words] [Fantasy]
Abrakadyebra: A Third Collection Of Children's Poems (Children) See, read and hear new poems about Frosty and Jack and Jill and others now! Cheers! [1,464 words] [Humor]
Abstinence (Poetry) - [18 words] [Psychology]
Adestes: Little Christmas Poems For Children (Children) Father Christmas/please be so kind/bring me a toy/one doesn't wind. [392 words] [Humor]
Advertising The Devil (Non-Fiction) "Serve the Lord with gladness..." not sadness, you dummy! [491 words] [Spiritual]
Aletha (Short Stories) . [330 words] [Teenage]
Ann Dunham: Busy Serving Others And Educating Her Kids (Children) If only she could see him now. [506 words] [Biography]
Ann Rule: The Lady Who Writes About Killers (Children) Talk about a busy life! Here's an example. [360 words] [Biography]
Another Prince Charles (Children) - [391 words] [Biography]
At Clarence's (Short Stories) - [290 words] [Teenage]
Back Through The Trees (Poetry) This evil took place both day and night. [50 words] [Motivational]
Bad Se�orita (Songs) Am I a "real" songwriter? (Looking at this one, I hope not!) [103 words] [Humor]
Because His Skin Is Dark (Poetry) - [19 words] [Mind]
Bill Gaither: True Follower (Non-Fiction) - [641 words] [Biography]
Billy Graham: Man After God's Heart (Children) Who can count all his awards? [375 words] [Biography]
Billy Graham's Death (Non-Fiction) . [633 words] [Spiritual]
Blood (Poetry) - [30 words] [Horror]
Blubber, Blubber, Armchair Lubber (Essays) A short essay about the REAL truth behind dieting, etc. [870 words] [Self-Help]
Boy Child (Songs) These lyrics are new and go to the tune of 'Oh Danny Boy' or 'Londonderry Aire'. Something like that. I may do one more stanza. [99 words] [Spiritual]
Buenos Dias, Colombia (Not S Carolina!) (Non-Fiction) First-hand comments/observations of the country today and other days (with sugar, cream, and warts). This was a blog before anyone had ever heard of the term. [18,298 words] [Writing Resource]
Cam (Poetry) ...wound up twisted... [20 words] [Humor]
Carlos The Young Coffee Picker (Children) Carlos the young coffee picker Played a serenade Maria had just given birth Nine pounds the wee thing weighed! [564 words] [Humor]
Cemetery Road (Short Stories) "What was that? There's someone out there," she exclaimed. [444 words] [Teenage]
Cindy's Fall (Short Stories) - [526 words] [Horror]
Colombia's On The Map (Poetry) How long is forty years, ma? [77 words] [Writing Resource]
Colombia's President Al Uribe (Children) - [493 words] [Biography]
Create, Create (Poetry) - [16 words] [Art]
Daddy And Me: Making The Rounds (Essays) A little wallow? [428 words] [Writing Resource]
Daddy, Can You Hear Me? (Short Stories) What would you do in this situation? [511 words] [Horror]
Daemons (Non-Fiction) Isn't British spelling more elegant sometimes? This piece of writing is about demons. We all have one or some of them inside us. They are the negative elements we cannot control very easily. The f... [2,678 words] [Psychology]
Daniel Coronell: Freedom Fighter (Children) He returned to his country determined more than ever. [420 words] [Biography]
Daring To Touch Saeed (Poetry) This piece is supposed to be about Flight 93. It's very hard to write about. If you've seen the movie, you've cried. Murderers, in my opinion, are spiritually or otherwise diseased, so, I think we ... [166 words] [History]
David's Letter--Bogota, Colombia (Non-Fiction) This is a true incident. It is not fiction. [551 words] [Self-Help]
Dear Detective Lovett (Short Stories) - [646 words] [Crime]
Decider (Poetry) This poem was composed after a slow reading of Green River, Running Red by Ann Rule, the world's foremost crime writer. [169 words] [Crime]
Deleted (Poetry) - [18 words] [Literary Fiction]
Desire Of Flesh (Poetry) ...you're ferried by death. [41 words] [Mind]
Developed And Scary (Non-Fiction) . [400 words] [History]
Doctor's Orders (Poetry) A short poem about family camping. [198 words] [Writing Resource]
Don't Call Her First Lady (Songs) This is sort of a song-poem. It's not about the First Couple in Washington, in case you wonder. The rhythm is along the lines of Ray Charles' "Fool For Love". Have you heard it? [60 words] [Humor]
Don't Tell Anyone (Short Stories) - [258 words] [Horror]
Each A Star (Poetry) Dear Readers: This poem-story, sadly, is based on a true and recent incident near where we live. [40 words] [Spiritual]
Ephraim (Short Stories) - [443 words] [Literary Fiction]
Every Day We Pierce Him (Songs) The tune for this song is a Spanish church song titled "Llaga", which means open sore or wound. In the Spanish hymn book I have, the author is listed as anonymous. Anyway, here are some English lyric... [74 words] [Spiritual]
Everybody Loved Polly (Short Stories) I detest violence and violent people! [1,809 words] [Popular Fiction]
Find Myself (Songs) Tune: Largo from Dvorak's "New World Symphony". [57 words] [Romance]
Finding A Poem-Short Story Topic (Non-Fiction) What to write about? Where do I look? Who/What can help me? [552 words] [Writing Resource]
Fishing Obligations (Essays) A short essay about parental responsibilities and kids' obligations. [558 words] [Relationships]
Five Prose Poems (Poetry) Here are five prose poems for the romantic-minded, I hope. The titles are Looking Back, That Celestial Calm--the Moon; City Shadows; Seeking; and We Turned Off. [331 words] [Romance]
Fly Me To The Moon, Baby (Poetry) - [82 words] [Romance]
Four Of Them (Essays) ...nobody has eight kids anymore either. Right? [259 words] [Writing Resource]
Four Poems (Poetry) Titles are: Groundwork in Colombia, Poetry, I Saw My Granny, Carpenter [398 words]
Four Short-Shorts (Poetry) "Lite" fare again. Titles are: Trying to Create Beauty; You First Then I; Appetite; and Opening Night. [113 words] [Mind]
Frances Jane: God's Happy Servant (Children) They had a baby daughter but it died... [368 words] [Biography]
Funny Like (Short Stories) - [610 words] [Teenage]
Generosity (Poetry) - [15 words] [Spiritual]
Gone Is Our Lisa (Poetry) (Feeling Poe-ish today maybe?) [87 words] [Humor]
Goodbye Christmas, Goodbye Santa (Poetry) - [52 words] [Motivational]
Grandstand (Poetry) - [19 words] [Relationships]
Growing Up Among Racists (Non-Fiction) A look at some of us in retrospect. [635 words] [Relationships]
Haikus Erotiques (Poetry) -These represent an exercise that's fun. Steve Mount has some others at saltyrain.com but the best are by the Japanese old masters. Look in Google for them. [113 words] [Erotic]
Haley She Was Called (Children) - [397 words] [Biography]
Hanks (Poetry) The superstar. [67 words] [Movies]
He Keeps Me Humble (Poetry) It's just that sometimes we don't want to be watched! [22 words] [Spiritual]
Heteros, Homos, Celibacy And The Church (Non-Fiction) Are we going back to the time of the Crusades? [590 words] [Writing Resource]
Hi Mr Willis, Can You Explain What Wrong I Did? (Non-Fiction) Teaching school is always give and take. Will it ever be different? [462 words] [Literary Fiction]
His Heart (Non-Fiction) - [556 words] [Motivational]
Homeward (Poetry) Sans arrogance, this poem was written for Senator Byrd of W. Va. [20 words] [Romance]
Hospital Room (Short Stories) Sadly, it's another case of "who needs fiction?" [1,115 words] [Crime]
How In Colombia I Grew In Mind And Soul (And Nowadays Grow In Girth) (Non-Fiction) Where I grew up in Georgia we had practically no access to modern British prose or poetry... [654 words] [Biography]
How To Have Money In Your Life (Non-Fiction) - [423 words] [Self-Help]
I Fell In Love With You (Poetry) - [97 words] [Romance]
I Find My Sanity (Poetry) - [38 words] [Psychology]
If I Could Chat With You Again (Poetry) - [66 words] [Literary Fiction]
If The World Were More Like You (Songs) Isn't this self-reflection? [155 words] [Psychology]
I'm Dreaming Of... (Poetry) It's about a smile. [80 words] [Writing Resource]
I'm From Mars (Short Stories) Historical fiction. [513 words] [Teenage]
In My Mind I Cheat On You (Poetry) Throw the first stone. [74 words] [Relationships]
In Our Minds (Poetry) - [11 words] [Mind]
In The Outside Cold (Short Stories) - [440 words] [Literary Fiction]
Interview Of A South American Gay (Non-Fiction) Meet Miguel Rodriguez: Miguel Rodriguez, a colleague of mine, is one of Colombia�s elite citizens in terms of philosophy, education, cultural level, and societal contributions. In other words, he�s ... [2,066 words] [Relationships]
Interview With The President (Plays) Baraba Falters(Barb)finally interviews President Branch. The President is, like a typical politician, quite difficult to pin down. [1,319 words] [Writing Resource]
Is It Where We Write Or What We Write? (Non-Fiction) Just think--how many of us had heard of Annie Proulx before 2005 or 2006? [681 words] [Publishing]
It Was Raining (Short Stories) "Let's not talk about it right now, Mama..." [368 words] [Literary Fiction]
Its Christmas Joy (Poetry) What is priority this year? [71 words] [Motivational]
James Benedetti's Daughter (Short Stories) A surprise visit. [861 words] [Literary Fiction]
James Herriot: Dearest Vet That Ever Lived (Children) Could you bring a cow into the world? A horse? [430 words] [Biography]
Jesus, You Look So Kansas-Like (Poetry) - [328 words] [Teenage]
Jewish Mother (Short Stories) Trying to make Him and those near Him more alive, more real, and hopefully, with more exposure. [396 words] [Literary Fiction]
John And Juan: Colombia's Facebook Killers (Non-Fiction) - [594 words] [Crime]
Just (Poetry) Heightened sensitivity doesn't mean anything goes. It does, however, mean caring for others. [70 words] [Psychology]
Just Cry, Mama (Poetry) - [267 words] [Teenage]
Just Imagine (Poetry) Dedicated to the One with the scarred hands. [59 words] [Spiritual]
Keepsakes (Poetry) A poem about a special afternoon. [129 words]
Lassie: About A Pal (No Joke) (Children) ...thanks to British-born writer Eric Knight, who wrote the short story... [276 words] [Biography]
Leaving Colombia(On A Jet, Of Course) (Non-Fiction) - [974 words] [Crime]
Letter To Elvis (Non-Fiction) You were human, of course. Perhaps in the end you just couldn't take any more... [642 words] [Biography]
Lid (Short Stories) Beware of half baths. [376 words] [Horror]
Life On The Shelf (Poetry) - [27 words] [Erotic]
Like A Story (Poetry) - [130 words] [Teenage]
Like A Wave (Poetry) - [30 words] [Romance]
Liliana's Decision (Non-Fiction) - [488 words] [Crime]
Lions Young (Poetry) - [16 words] [Erotic]
Little Is Much (Children) - [85 words] [Animal]
Lonely Hunter (Poetry) - [17 words] [Literary Fiction]
Long Live Our Elephants (Children) Would you kill an elephant? A deer? A fly? [284 words] [Animal]
Lord Find A Place (Poetry) (For Luciano Pavarotti: R.I.P.) [70 words] [Spiritual]
Making Moves: Another Look At Victims And Choices In Ann Rule's True Crime Stories (Non-Fiction) Ann Rule gives the murderers a hell of a punch in each story. That's the way it must be. It is the angle from which she writes and no one, no one is going to condone the acts of a murderer, least of... [9,916 words] [Crime]
Marsten (Short Stories) - [408 words] [Horror]
Matchless Love (Songs) - [91 words] [Motivational]
May Mothers And Fathers (Essays) A short essay about those parents who want to push academic responsibility off onto others. [479 words]
Maybe To Pittsburgh This Time (Children) This is about a boy's best friend. Also, I've always loved Girzone's "Joshua". Here is my little attempt to imitate that, somehow. [479 words] [Literary Fiction]
Meet Mary (Poetry) - [39 words]
Michael (Poetry) About someone who left us some years back but who left an indelible impression on those of his generation. [82 words] [Biography]
Mine Eyes Have Seen (Poetry) No glory and no hallelujah. [55 words] [Horror]
Miniviews From Colombia (Non-Fiction) No special description. Basically, getting an idea of what different people think at present. [3,555 words]
Miss Sindee And The Candidate (Plays) - [361 words] [Humor]
Moors And Moors: Randall Interviews Portuguese Writer--Poet--Artist Alexandra Onelight (Non-Fiction) - [3,430 words] [Biography]
Morgan: An Actor's Actor (Children) Even though he's still living, here's a little bio. [362 words] [Biography]
Moron (Short Stories) - [374 words] [Teenage]
Mr. Nico's Monday A.M. Surprise (Plays) Thus it was decreed: Woe unto all those ethically challenged! [633 words] [Humor]
Mr Randy Sez (Non-Fiction) Expressed thoughts, musings, comments, etc. on whatever I please. [5,598 words] [Publishing]
My Big Toe Nicely (Poetry) - [23 words] [Erotic]
My Fan (Poetry) - [23 words] [Spiritual]
My Kind Of Christian: Barbara Curtis (Non-Fiction) "She lived to shock people, 'to be different and avant-garde'." [514 words] [Motivational]
My Men Are Full Of Vigor (Poetry) This is about crosses, isn�t it? [48 words] [Erotic]
Needed: Diversity In Education (Essays) Including More Studies In Distinct Cultures Needed Urgently: Give-A-Shit Parents Who Actually Monitor Their Kids If we won't listen to Jesus, then... [867 words] [Writing Resource]
No Better Galahad (Songs) About the best Friend in the world. [115 words] [Spiritual]
Normally A Gentle Man (Short Stories) This story was inspired by a story in the "Chicken Soup" series that I never can forget. [334 words] [Teenage]
Not Enough! (Essays) A short talk about trying to prevent more wife/child abuse. [791 words] [Crime]
Number 6 (Short Stories) The "real" meaning of non-stop? [489 words] [Horror]
O Father Hold Us Tightly (Songs) Tune: "O Little Town of Bethlehem", believe it or not. It's such a beautiful melody that it's a pity that we are concerned with it only in December. Non-Christmas lyrics probably have been penned be... [101 words] [Spiritual]
Oh Milly Said Molly (Poetry) This one came up while writing the kids' stuff 'cept it isn't, is it? [26 words] [Humor]
Old Quake (Poetry) One Halloween he grabbed a knife Then hid behind the door... [119 words] [Humor]
On A Dad's Turning 80 (Non-Fiction) Some want to get there, others couldn't care less. How much is choice? [390 words] [Writing Resource]
On A Limb In The Garden Oak (Poetry) - [17 words] [Motivational]
Once I Thought Hypocrisy (Poetry) I,too, have felt the knife. [50 words] [Mind]
Pablo: A Life Of Crime And Making Money (Children) What is smart in life? What is dumb? [629 words] [Biography]
Pissed--Or, We Did It To Ourselves(Yes, Read Fucked) (Non-Fiction) Periodical rant. [492 words] [Writing Resource]
Plantain (Short Stories) - [627 words] [Horror]
Please Send Me Blessings (Poetry) - [48 words] [Teenage]
Poet--Photographer--Writer Interview (Non-Fiction) Read about Joseph Randell Sherman, Iowa-born poet and photographer par excellence. For additional info, access to writings, etc., 'google' this writer. [1,999 words] [Biography]
Policing-Immigration Lines (Essays) This is a bit about patriotism but not fanaticism. [1,193 words] [Motivational]
Poor Daddy (Short Stories) Carl saw the freshly-dug hole and broke into tears... [438 words] [Literary Fiction]
Precious Lord, Take My Hand (Songs) This is another one of my favorite gospel songs. So, I am arrogant here in trying to pen a second or extra verse(I know of only one.). M. Jackson sings only one on a DVD I have of her. Anyway, if a... [50 words] [Spiritual]
President Branch 1954 (Plays) Pure innocence, of course, prevailed at that time, did it not? [313 words] [Comedy]
Quite Harmless You See (Short Stories) Then Peter had the oddest feeling. He�d never been afraid of the dark before. To him, danger was posed by humans, not by animals; least of all simple and innocent forest animals. [723 words] [Literary Fiction]
Rainy Christmas Eve (Short Stories) "How bad is it?" he managed to ask with great physical and psychological effort... [755 words] [Crime]
Ralph Carmichael: A Great American Musician (Non-Fiction) - [463 words] [Biography]
Randall Barfield Interviews Sage Sweetwater--Colorado Poet-Novelist Of The Sapphic Literary Genre (Non-Fiction) . [4,890 words] [Relationships]
Randall's Humble Analysis Of The Parable Of The Workers In The Vineyard (Non-Fiction) (Using the NIV version of the Bible) [635 words] [Spiritual]
Randy's Advice To Young Writers (Essays) - [807 words] [Motivational]
Realities (Poetry) - [7 words] [Writing Resource]
Reflective Essay On Classroom Discipline (Essays) This essay was written as part of the requirements for a course in elementary education. The teacher's comments are placed in parentheses and denoted as TC. Some of the problems have worked themselv... [2,676 words] [Writing Resource]
Religious Poems For Children (Children) - [691 words] [Spiritual]
Remembering Doug (Non-Fiction) I remember thinking at the time that they were such crybabies! [472 words] [Biography]
Sa'ad (Short Stories) Trying to look at history from another perspective. [295 words] [History]
Schoolgirl (Short Stories) - [937 words] [Crime]
Second Nature (Poetry) It's about a concrete finisher. [128 words] [Biography]
See A Rose (Poetry) - [35 words] [Motivational]
She Walked In Beauty (Poetry) - [32 words] [Movies]
Shit (Poetry) This poem is built around a word that is offensive to some, harmless to others. [187 words] [Writing Resource]
Should You Go To College? (Non-Fiction) Decisions confront us at every step in life. [503 words] [Teenage]
Some Caring Country Road (Poetry) Superstars leave indelible impressions on all of us, however, different strokes for different folks, of course. Anyway, I'll always be starstruck and enjoy trying to create tributes for those I love(... [193 words] [Nature]
Something Irresistible (Short Stories) Ten fingers? Who me? [231 words] [Humor]
Somewhere Near The Maricopas: Elizabeth Lucas-Taylor Interview (Non-Fiction) Elizabeth Lucas-Taylor, Arizona writer, poet, seeker, and dreamer, interview by Randall Barfield [4,700 words] [Mind]
Spare The Rod (Poetry) There's nothing funny about killing one's parents, I know, but it's only fiction. Right? Did Agatha Christie ever kill anyone despite a life dedicated to murder fiction? [109 words] [Humor]
Stand By Me (Songs) There are 2 songs titled Stand By Me that I know of. The more famous one was recorded by Ben King and John Lennon. The other, less famous but no less beautiful, was recorded by Elvis Presley (and wh... [74 words] [Spiritual]
Take Her Pompoms (Poetry) What's a mom worth in May? [25 words] [Relationships]
Ten Baby Jesus Poems (Children) The noise of the cock's crow woke them up A brand new day came bursting forth... [272 words] [Spiritual]
Ten More Baby Jesus Poems (And The Last Of Them) (Children) (Wind and rain roared outside The walls of the stable shook...) [237 words] [Biography]
Ten--Hour Weddings (Essays) About South American weddings. [510 words] [Humor]
Terence And Abelardo--Set Four (Plays) - [1,652 words] [Relationships]
Terence And Abelardo--Set One (Plays) This is planned as a series of vignettes, each with its own title. Terence is from an English-speaking country but lives and works in a Spanish-speaking one. Abelardo is Spanish-speaking orginally a... [971 words] [Relationships]
Terence And Abelardo--Set Three (Plays) - [1,549 words]
Terence And Abelardo--Set Two (Plays) Each set contains 4 shorts. [1,274 words] [Relationships]
That Little Spark (Poetry) - [22 words] [Motivational]
The 2nd Church Sign (Non-Fiction) Thou shalt go and spread... [677 words] [Spiritual]
The Best Christmas (Poetry) The best Christmas means different things to each one of us. [99 words] [Spiritual]
The Big It (Poetry) - [24 words] [Relationships]
The Breakfast Nook (Short Stories) . [246 words] [Spiritual]
The Candy In The Woods (Children) - [467 words] [Adventure]
The Chocolate Bunny Of Stone Mountain (Children) "Somebody has been bad," Susan says, "and..." [522 words] [Popular Fiction]
The Cold March Air (Poetry) - [15 words] [Erotic]
The Color Of My Actions (Poetry) Sometimes we think too much about color and not enough at important things. [73 words] [Motivational]
The Comfort (Poetry) No one can bring him back. No one can forget him either. [250 words] [Biography]
The Cry Baby (Short Stories) - [615 words] [Teenage]
The Death Of My Mom (Essays) A short reflection on a lack of tears for my mom. [565 words]
The Donkey Farm (Children) None of the donkeys wore a watch, of course, so they couldn't be dead sure... [365 words] [Fable]
The Double Cure: A Closer Look (Non-Fiction) - [1,118 words] [Spiritual]
The Evil Of The Visa System (Essays) Looking, looking for that Utopia. As always. [479 words] [History]
The France You Never Got To See (Poetry) How many people wanted to see France and never got a chance to? [67 words] [Motivational]
The Godless Home(Life) (Non-Fiction) Basically, this is written from experience. [661 words] [Self-Help]
The Goodbye (Short Stories) My 2nd attempt at a 'western'. It won a cherry at abctales.com (shoebox) [752 words] [Romance]
The Gravity (Poetry) Former Beatles member George Harrison died in November, 2001. This poem was conceived and written near the musician's death. [81 words] [Psychology]
The Hands (Poetry) - [12 words] [Horror]
The Head Of State's Eyes (Poetry) - [42 words] [History]
The Hour (Poetry) - [10 words] [Spiritual]
The House On No Street (Poetry) Move over, Stephen King! [53 words] [Horror]
The Human Condition(By The Pessimist) (Poetry) - [19 words] [History]
The Jubilee Surprise (Plays) Perhaps daydreaming. (This was written first in 2002, of course.) Today, July 2005, I look back at the word daydreaming and think: Wasn't I ever! Of course, we now know the monarch is trying to break... [514 words] [History]
The Little House In The Woods (Children) Children can enjoy these new little poems. We were in a "wooded" area on vacation recently and the idea came to me to jot these down. [313 words] [Literary Fiction]
The Lyrics For That Macho-Man, He-Man, Tough-Guy Shit (Poetry) . [278 words] [Literary Fiction]
The Moon In That Movie With Cher (Short Stories) - [901 words]
The New House (Short Stories) - [404 words] [Horror]
The New House Near Campus (Short Stories) - [422 words] [Horror]
The People I Prefer (Poetry) - [47 words]
The Power (Short Stories) "I have to get home. I have to get home..." [1,137 words] [Drama]
The Road (Non-Fiction) But he felt happiness. At last. After such... [576 words] [Motivational]
The Rose Tree (Poetry) A poem about the passing of life and nostalgia. [291 words]
The Scent Of Provincial Orchids (Short Stories) - [940 words] [Literary Fiction]
The Turn Of Your Old Key (Poetry) - [55 words] [Romance]
The Very Best Poems (Poetry) - [36 words] [Motivational]
There Is A Love That Is Matchless (Songs) These lyrics have music (by Guess Who) if anyone is interested. [91 words] [Motivational]
There Will Be No Losers (Poetry) - [146 words] [Motivational]
They Started A War (Poetry) -"One is left with the horrible feeling now that war settles nothing; that to win a war is as disastrous as to lose one." Agatha Christie (1977) [70 words] [Spiritual]
Thin Air (Short Stories) ...you'd think it impossible that one man could terrorize an entire nation but,of course,... [874 words] [Crime]
Third Interview With President Branch (Plays) Here go the Pres. and Barabas(Barb) again. Give me a rating 1 to 10 on it. I say 8.0 (If you don't love yourself, who else is gonna?) I also wanna say that I am not a hater of the president. After... [536 words] [Comedy]
This Thirst (Poetry) - [29 words] [Psychology]
Thomas Andrew (Children) He and Mr. Tindley didn't go away. Their music and words didn't either... [388 words] [Biography]
Thorn And Rose (Poetry) - [66 words] [Teenage]
Those Images (Poetry) - [30 words] [Relationships]
Three Poem Collection (Poetry) No particular description. The reader will judge. Titles are: Poem for Cathy; Ingots; and The Saltless Sea. [252 words] [Relationships]
Three Poem Collection No. 2 (Poetry) These poems are supposed to be "lite". Titles are: bug off; Fat Farm Arrival; and Bleak Anniversary. [66 words] [Humor]
Three-Song Collection (Songs) Two are supposed to be spiritual and one a ballad. The author's music is available for evaluation. Sometimes the strong part of a song is its music, at others the lyrics. [410 words] [Spiritual]
Tight Jeans 1 (Short Stories) - [264 words] [Romance]
Tight Jeans 2 (Short Stories) - [246 words] [Romance]
Tight Jeans 3 (Short Stories) ... but she was no rose... That's a joke... [228 words] [Romance]
Tight Jeans (4) (Novels) - [187 words] [Romance]
Tiny Poem (Poetry) - [10 words] [Romance]
To An Old Widower (Poetry) - [109 words] [Literary Fiction]
Treeeees (Children) - [69 words] [Nature]
Tropical Baby (Songs) Nothing like sand and palm trees occasionally. [125 words] [Romance]
Trying To Cross (Poetry) . [42 words] [Humor]
Turning To Him (Essays) No description. [354 words] [Motivational]
Two Great North Americans (Non-Fiction) -This is a short piece about a work of love and persistence. When these two elements are present, results are inevitable and these results have been outstanding. LEGACY ... [653 words] [Motivational]
Uncle Reggie's Study Room (Short Stories) - [268 words] [Literary Fiction]
Under The Sun (Essays) What happens in real life is that we humans are vicious one to the other... [839 words] [Relationships]
Unemployment: Cum Laude And The Greatest Terrorist (Essays) 2-cents' worth about employment? [563 words] [Writing Resource]
Unlucky Strike (Poetry) - [41 words] [Humor]
Urban Frat. (Short Stories) - [216 words] [Teenage]
Walter Disney: Changing The World And Making People Laugh (Children) Hard work? Genius? Combo? Combo! [579 words] [Biography]
Warm Night (Short Stories) - [303 words] [Horror]
Wee Thanks Giving 2005 (Poetry) Once a year isn't too often, is it? [169 words] [Motivational]
Wesley Beaver Commemorative Poems (Children) - [772 words] [Fable]
What Did Jose Say? (Poetry) - [149 words] [Comedy]
What Would He Think? (Essays) An attempt to look at ourselves constructively. [559 words]
Where's Our Tommy Lee? (Poetry) - [52 words] [Comedy]
Why Is He Calling? Or (Pass Me Not) (Non-Fiction) She's dead (Frances Jane or Fanny) but she isn't. Right? [706 words] [Spiritual]
Wide Flowers (Poetry) - [189 words] [Teenage]
Wine Of A Different House And Colour (Poetry) - [74 words] [Literary Fiction]
Workers In The Vineyard (Non-Fiction) . [635 words] [Spiritual]
World Cubanization--Afghanization (Essays) A brief essay about some things we cannot change in this world and the dreariness of a totally-poor world structure. [775 words]
X Great Reasons For Not Being Rich Or Famous (Non-Fiction) Any suggestions for No. 15? [284 words] [Self-Help]
You Can Keep Your Fking Jesus-God (Non-Fiction) . [480 words] [Spiritual]
Your Red, Red Heart (Poetry) ...You might with flair and a bit of art... [73 words] [Motivational]
Zinnias And Tea (Poetry) A poem for Miss Helen Keller, 1880-1968. NOTE: Fifty-percent of the income from the sale of this poem will be turned over to the Carter Center. [95 words]
Catch A Rising Star
Randall Barfield

Outside the colonel�s office window a soft breeze made the urban palm fronds and eucalyptus leaves sway. Traffic was moving tolerably now since it was after ten a.m. The cloudless mountains to the east gleamed in the sunlight.

He fidgeted with some of the objects on his desktop while waiting for the interviewer to return from the restroom. The colonel was anything but ungainly. Also tall, he wasn�t typical physically and mentally of most of the men in his Latin American country. He�d risen steadily in the ranks of the police over the years and was, at this moment, very near the top. He enjoyed the reputation of a totally clean and truly caring man. Chief of Police of the nation was his goal and he�d literally given his life toward achieving it.

�Sorry, but we can continue now,� said the interviewer. He took his seat again.

�No problem,� the colonel said. He smiled.

�Colonel, there has been alarm expressed by some critics of the police force that the number of rapes taking place out near Westside Bridge has never been reported accurately by the press. We understand that most of these attacks occur at dusk or later.�

�It�s true,� the colonel responded, �but we can write up only what citizens come in to report. How many attacks go unreported? We don�t know and can�t, really. We are constantly encouraging victims to overcome their fear and embarrassment and report all attacks.�

�Why, many ask, isn�t there more foot patrols assigned to the bridge area?� the interviewer asked.

At that moment the colonel�s assistant entered the office and said there was an urgent call from the colonel�s father.

�Interruptions,� the colonel said. �What can we do?�

�It�s quite all right,� the interviewer said. He began to collect his briefcase. �Would day after tomorrow be okay for the wrap-up?�

�Wait for my call before you come over. So you won�t waste a trip,� the colonel said. He smiled. The interviewer left the office.

The colonel picked up the receiver.

�Dad?� he said.

�Jaime,� his dad said. �I don�t know how to tell you this.�

 Jaime quickly sensed the old man was distraught and in tears.

�What has happened, Dad? Go ahead, tell me.�

�It�s Luis, Jaime. He�s been arrested,� the old man stammered.

Luis was the colonel�s youngest brother. He�d always had a rebellious streak. For a number of years now he�d been living abroad.

�Arrested? Where Dad? Why?�

�At Heathrow, Jaime. Drugs. Your mother�s devastated. No, we all are!�

The colonel froze. Finally, he found his voice.

�I�ll be over as soon as I can, Dad. Try to stay calm. I�ll see if I can find out more.�

The colonel rang off and paged his assistant.

�Cancel everything for the rest of the day,� he struggled to say. �We�ve got a family crisis. Also, get Edgar for me now.�

Edgar was the present Chief of Police but not Jaime�s immediate boss. White waiting to talk to him, the colonel stared at the wall on one side of his desk. �My brother,� he was thinking. �Jesus, my own brother�.

 

READER'S REVIEWS (4)
DISCLAIMER: STORYMANIA DOES NOT PROVIDE AND IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEWS. ALL REVIEWS ARE PROVIDED BY NON-ASSOCIATED VISITORS, REGARDLESS OF THE WAY THEY CALL THEMSELVES.

"Great story Barfield, now I want to hear the rest. It was a good read and caught my attention quickly, but it left me wanting to read more. Do you have more to the story? If you do I would love to read it. Great Job." -- Brian Hankins, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
"Thanks a million. There is not more. This is flash fiction, under 1,000 words, roughly. Sorry." -- barfield.
"No Barfield, I can't accept your escape under the term "flash fiction." I prefer the old-fashioned short story construction of a protaganist, a plot, and a conclusion. Even if the conclusion leaves the reader hanging, as in the classic story of "The Lady or the tiger," there is still a conclusion to be drawn by the reader. This is nothing more than a brief episode in the life of a dedicated public servant. Perhaps the moral of your story,(if there is a moral) is that there are black sheep within even the finest of families. This of course, is not a surprising revelation. " -- Richard.
"Flash fiction is an established genre. Not to disappear, Richard. Some like it, some don't. If you google flash fiction, you'll see lots of sites which publish those stories. Why do stories have to have a moral? Some have and some don't. Anyway, this one hasn't been that popular, I'll admit. I give it a C for a short short. " -- barf.

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COPYRIGHT NOTICE
© 2007 Randall Barfield
STORYMANIA PUBLICATION DATE
May 2007
NUMBER OF TIMES TITLE VIEWED
2575
 

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