Tag Archives: Christian flash fiction

But he was a good person…

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From time to time, I write flash fiction–whenever it flashes in my mind. Here’s my latest piece.

BUT HE WAS A GOOD PERSON…

Rocko Smith III was born a fortunate man.

One could even say born with a silver spoon in his hand.

But he was a good person.

He didn’t squander or waste.

Instead he did his best posthaste.

Unlike others in his class.

He didn’t party hard and fast.

He worked hard and did good deeds.

He truly was a good person but…

One bad choice he made.

Or should I say one good choice he didn’t make.

But he was a good person…

The car circled the public square for the third time. The Christmas lights sparkled and blinked merrily but Rocko wasn’t there for the decorations. His gaze went past the bright lights and peered into the shadows.

He tapped the driver’s shoulder. “Pull over, Jives.”

“My name’s not Jives, Rocko.”

“I know that but can’t you humor me just once, Martin? I always wanted a driver named Jives.”

“If it makes you happy, I suppose you can. Just tonight since it’s Christmas Eve.”

“That’s a deal, Jives.” He opened his door and picked up the package off the seat.

“Be back in a few.”

“Take as long as you need, Boss.”

“My name’s not boss.”

I know but I always wanted to say that.”

“Fair enough…Jives.”

Rocko chuckled as he made his way toward the alley. With his back turned to the merry lights, the night turned dark. And cold. He shivered glad to have his warm coat and gloves.

He walked into the alley. He saw his target. “Hi.”

“I’m not doing nothing wrong.”

“I know that.  I just wanted to give you a Christmas gift.”

“I don’t need no charity.”

“I’m sure you don’t but still I’d like to give you this gift.” He reached the box toward the man.

“Why?”

“Because I’ve been so fortu—”

Blinding lights came toward them.

Rocko stood in a line—a very long line. It went as far as the eye could see and he was at the end of the line. In front of him stood a man in tattered clothes. Rocko still had on his warm coat and gloves. “Hey buddy, where are we? What’s going on? How did I get here?”

The man turned.

“You’re the man from the alley.”

“And you’re the man that was in my alley.”

“What happened? Why are we here?”

“Guess that runaway truck got both of us.”

“You mean I’m dead.”

“It seems to be so.”

“But I was just trying to do something nice for someone on Christmas Eve.”

“Hey don’t blame me. I didn’t ask you to come in my alley.”

“No. No. Of course not. That’s not what I meant at all. I’m just surprised. So then what’s this line?”

“My guess is that it’s the judging line.”

“What’s that?”

“You know it’s where God decides if you go to heaven or hell.”

“I don’t believe in God.”

“Believe or not, I think you’re about to meet your maker.”

“You really think God’s at the end of this line?”

“No, we’re at the end of the line. He is at the beginning of the line. Of course, He is the Alpha and the Omega.”

“You sound like you know what you’re talking about.”

He shrugged. “I used to go to church a long time ago. Of course, I started making bad choices that ended up with me being in that alley. First it was alcohol. Then it was drugs. Then I needed more money to get the drugs and ended up in prison. And then the alley.”

“So things aren’t looking good for you, huh?”

“I guess you could say that. But I made the choices so I gotta face the consequences. Got no one to blame but myself.”

“Sorry about that buddy.”

“It is what it is. How about you? How are you feeling about the whole thing?”

“It’s true I didn’t believe in God but I am…was a good person. For the most part I tried to do the right thing. I was kind to the people in my life, I donated lots of money to charities. And not just money but my time as well. I think I’ll be OK.”

“Sounds like it.”

And then it was their turn.

A man sat on a large golden throne. But not just any man, the Son of Man but also the Son of God. He wore a robe of white so bright it glowed. To his left was brightness and warmth that beckoned all. To his left darkness and death.

The man from the alley fell on his face.

“Stand up, Stanley.”

He lifted his head. “I can’t. I’m not worthy to approach you, Lord.”

“I know you Stanley and you know me. Please stand up. Fear not, you have been made righteous through my blood.”

As Stanley stood, his tattered clothes turned into a glowing white robe. “But I’m not worthy. I’ve done so many bad things. Made so many mistakes.”

“And yet I know you, Stanley.”

Rocko breathed a sigh of relief. It was going to be OK. If someone like Stanley got to go to heaven, surely he would. After all, he was a good person. A really good person.

“Please go to the left, Stanley. There are people waiting for you. People who love you.”

It was his turn. He walked up to the throne with a confident smile.

The man stared at his for several long moments. Then with a booming voice, “Who approaches my throne?”

Gone was the kind loving voice, in its place was a cold angry voice. Something was wrong. Stanley had knelt so Rocko knelt. “It’s me. Rocko Smith III, Lord.”

“You dare to call me Lord. I do not know you.”

“True but I was a really good person.”

“I do not know you and you do not know me.”

“But I want to know you. Now.”

“Did you not have chances when you were alive?”

“Well, sure I had chances but I didn’t think you were real. Everyone said you were a myth. Obviously, I was wrong about that and I’m sorry. But I was a really good person. I worked hard. I was nice to people. I gave money to…”

“Your good deeds are like filthy rags. They mean nothing to me. Please go to the right.”

He looked to his right and only saw darkness awaiting him. “That can’t be right. You let Stanley, the drug addict into heaven. That’s where I belong. In the light. In heaven.”

“I never knew you.” His voice was heavy with sorrow.

“It’s not fair.” Invisible hands pulled him toward the darkness. “But I was a really good pers…”

 

So what did you think? BTW, don’t forget to scroll down and leave a comment to be in the drawing for BEAST by Chawna Schroeder. Thanks!

God Bless & Good Reading.

Snow Angel by Pat Jeanne Davis

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I know I haven’t been contributing much to my own blog lately, but I’ve been busy between final edits for two books, taxes, and health issues…well enough said! And besides I’ve had all these great guest writers that I’ve been enjoying. I hope you have as well.

This week’s story is  by Pat Jeanne Davis. She  writes from her home in Philadelphia  PA. Her short stories have appeared in Harpstring Magazine, Splickety Magazine, Christian Fiction Online Magazine, The Wordsmith Journal, Horizon Magazine and Take-A-Break in the U.K. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Christian Writers Guild. She has representation by Leslie H. Stobbe Literary Agency. Visit her at www.patjeannedavis.com 

 

Snow Angel

by

Pat Jeanne Davis

 

“Maybe your secret admirer will shovel you out of our driveway again tomorrow.”

Trudi laughed at her mother’s words. “An admirer! Me? That’s as likely as a snow angel coming to my aid.”

Trudi crossed the living room to the window and pulled back the heavy drapes. She swiped the sleeve of her terry robe down the misty pane and gazed out. “Ray’s out of town for another day, but he’s already extended the deadline for my proposal. Snow or no snow, tomorrow is the deadline.”

She watched large flakes drift down against the street light. Ray was not only a wonderful boss but one of those rare single men with whom she had much in common. She smiled. Even the same birthday. If only he could see her as someone more than a co-worker. Trudi dropped into a chair at the kitchen table.

Her mother leaned across and touched her arm, as though reading her thoughts. “You know what they say, dear, about good things coming to those who wait.” She patted her daughterʼs hand in beat with her usual advice– “Don’t give up hope.”

“Thanks, Mom.” She wanted to believe in that promise. But how much longer before Ray noticed her? Trudi stood and gave her a hug. “Need to turn in now if I’m going to get up an hour earlier.”

Next morning Trudi rolled over, opened one eye and hit the alarm button. Six o’clock! She pulled the covers over her head, then remembered why she’d set the alarm so early. Hoisting herself out of bed, she walked to the window and prepared herself mentally for the job outside. She opened the blind and saw a man with his back toward her shoveling the last of the snow cover from the driveway. She must find out about him.

When Trudi arrived at the indoor garage at work, the place was empty except for another vehicle. As she pulled up alongside the car, she spotted a snow shovel in the back seat, its broad blade glistening wet.

The driver—wearing a black pea jacket, white scarf and black earmuffs—got out as she approached and walked over. “Looks like we’re the first to arrive.”

            Haven’t seen him before.

The stranger extended his hand. “Name’s Ben. Yesterday was my first on the job.”

“Trudi. Personnel,” she said, releasing her hand from his. “Some snow!”

“Yeah, sure is. Any trouble getting out of your driveway?”

“No. Thanks to a kind stranger who shoveled me out.”

Ben blew on his hands and rubbed them together. “Freezing isn’t it? Look, I’m off to grab some coffee. Can I buy you one?”

“No thanks . . . Ben. Gotta get upstairs.” She had a full day ahead of her.

He smiled. “Maybe another time soon.”

Ben held the door open and they entered the lobby. Before she could ask him what floor he worked on, he’d ducked into the coffee shop.

Trudi entered the elevator and punched the button for the top floor. She dropped her proposal on the secretary’s desk. Fingers crossed, she hoped Ray would be proud of her efforts.

Her heart flip-flopped when she saw Ray at his desk the next day.

“Have a minute?” He gestured to a chair. “Our boss e-mailed me last night to say he’s impressed with your work,” he said, grinning. “You put a lot into it, Trudi, and it’s paid off.”

Her knees went weak just as she was about to sit. “That’s a relief,” she said, managing some self-restraint.

He drew his chair closer to hers. “You’ve scored with management, you know.”

But have I scored with you, too? Is the waiting over?

“I think you’re in line for a change of status.”

“You mean a job promotion?” What she longed for was a change of status with him.

“Yes, a promotion.” Ray edged closer and locked his sapphire blue eyes with hers. “This calls for celebration.” He placed an arm over the back of her seat. “Er, could we go out tomorrow evening?” he whispered.

Could they ever!

“Sounds good,” Trudi said, her tone masking the excitement she felt.

Then she saw Ben’s tall frame in the doorway. He knocked and walked into the office. “You wanted to see me, Boss?”

            “Terrific! Tomorrow night,” Ray said. Then he turned to Ben. “You’re here sooner than I expected.”

Ben cleared his throat and shuffled his feet. “I can come back.”

Ray leaned back in his chair. “Trudi, this is Ben. He will be working with me for a while.”

She nodded. “We introduced ourselves yesterday. Welcome aboard.”

Ben smiled. “Thanks.”

Trudi got up. “If there’s nothing more for now?” She had only until tomorrow evening to wait

for the something more. Hadn’t Mom told her good things happen to those who wait.

As she moved closer to the door, Trudi heard the new hire say, “She’s my new neighbor, and I planned to get to know her. I would’ve shoveled her out even if you hadnʼt asked me.” He laughed. “I didn’t even get to buy her a cup of coffee and you get to take her out.”

Trudi grinned and kept on walking. In a roundabout way she’d already thanked Ben in the parking lot. A snow angel could come in all disguises—even that of a new neighbor. Ben may have dug her out, but he was only a courier for her admirer.

Spring Will Always Bring A Smile by Mary L. Ball

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I love flash fiction. It’s quick and fun to read! How about you? In case you don’t know what flash fiction is, it’s like a short story–but even shorter. It still has a beginning, a middle and an end.  The story today is written by Mary L. Ball.

Mary L. Ball is a published author of Inspirational fiction, blended with romance. her novels include, Escape to Big Fork Lake and Stone of Destiny.
She lives in North Carolina and weaves together stories to encourage people to see the wonder of love and a divine guidance. When she’s not working on her latest story, she enjoys fishing, reading, hiking and singing with her husband at church and other places.
Readers can connect with her on Face Book and Twitter.
www. twitter.com/inspires4mary
Her books are available on AMAZON.
 
 And so without further ado….

Spring Will Always Bring a Smile

Lisa rested on the bench in the center of Gold Memorial staring at a grass-covered  mound. She glanced around at the new flowers that bloomed and noticed the buds upon the lilac trees, the signs of a changing season all around. Birds sung, in the distance, but the beauty of nature didn’t bring a smile to her face. Spring was here, and she didn’t care.

As an older man approached and stood beside her. He gazed at Lisa and spoke with a crackled voice,  “a loved one.”

Lisa hated the intrusion, but despite her mood, she tried to be polite. “Yes, very much loved.” She looked at the man and didn’t know why, but something in his eyes made her speak again.  She poured out her heart, her voice barely audible and words laced with despair. “Rob was my only love; we didn’t have, but a few years together.”

The older man saw the hurt in her eyes. He paused a moment before speaking. “I know what you mean; my Polly was my mate for over 40 years.”

Lisa looked at the man, with a touch of sympathy she replied. “It must be hard to have someone around that long a time a time, and lose them.”

The man smiled at Lisa, shaking his head. “Yes, but we had good years together. I thank God- for all those years.”

A prick of anger moved over Lisa, in a sarcastic tone she rushed a reply. “if God wanted us to be happy, then why take away our loved ones.”

The grey-haired man looked at Lisa, a startled expression shown on his furrowed brow. He spoke as if he were talking to the wind. “God does want us to be happy, but everyone has to face loss, a time to weep, and a time to laugh.”

Lisa stood up, noticing the man now carried a smile on his face. An expression of peace sparkled from his eyes she couldn’t understand. She shook her head in disbelief. “Never can I accept that, it is just not right.”

The man stepped closer to Lisa and gently took her hand in his. “Would Rob want you to be bitter, to turn away from the world?”  Something in the way the man spoke, his tender touch reached into her soul, opening her heart. It brought back a memory of a conversation; she had with Rob.  A day when he told her to promise him that she would never let anything take away her beautiful smile. Lisa glanced at the old man, nervously she replied. “He would want me to go on without him.”

The older man begun to speak about the seasons, “you know Spring is supposed to be a fresh beginning. It brings forth an unmarked life,” his voice continued, words broken by time.”In the Winter, things are dead, then comes Spring, and with it, a brand-new start. We can’t go back to the past Winter; we must move forward into the unused time within the year, and the wonder of  a renewed life. Nevertheless, we will forever remember the Winters. Everyone mourns the loss of last year’s flowers. Our purpose though, has invariably been to go on, just as the world constantly moves. In our hearts, we will faithfully hold the love, and memories-but we need to live. By going on with our lives we bring honor to the ones that were lost. It’s a way to show respect for what they represented.”

Lisa hung her head down toward the ground, a numb feeling surrounded her.

As the man slipped his hand away from hers, she closed her eyes and wiped a tear from her cheek, which slipped down the side of her face. She raised her head up and saw that the old man was gone. Lisa gazed in all directions. Her eyes caught sight of a younger lady walking passed. “Excuse me, where did the old man who was carrying an umbrella go?”

The girl looked at Lisa, lines formed around her mouth with a puzzled expression, sluggishly  she nodded her head back and forth. “I don’t believe anyone else has been on this path for at least an hour.” Lisa felt her face grow red with embarrassment as she replied. “Oh, well, thanks anyway,” quickly rushing to the car.

Seated in her vehicle, Lisa took one last look at the spot that was so cherished to her, a smile escaping from her lips. It was then  she thought she heard a quiet soothing voice say, “Lisa, that’s the smile I fell in love with.”

Oooh–I got goose bumps!  How about you?

Until Next Time…God Bless and Good Reading!