Here it is, Sanitarium Magazine #11 is now available. Grab a copy and read my story, On The Farm.
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Be sure to leave a review when you've checked out your copy. Print edition available soon.

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Flash fiction post #2

Since I've been getting some positive feedback, including some love from my man Jimmy Pudge, I have decided to post another little piece of flash fiction. This is cheating a little, I suppose, since it is actually a fragment of a longer piece of fiction called Unlonely. Unlonely is, in essence, a collection of several small snippets like this. This one just happens to be my favorite. Hope you enjoy it.

                                                                         *   *   *

She’s lying on her back, one arm crooked so that her head rests on the delicate forearm.  Long golden hair fanned out around her head like the mark of divinity in Victorian paintings. Tiny ants, hundreds of them, crawl on her face. Piss-ants, my grandmother called them, although I’m sure they have a proper name.

            The ants form a long column from Angela’s pale face to a window across the room. When I woke to find them yesterday, I crushed dozens of them with an ashtray, brushed them away from her face. But watching them now, I see that I was wrong to interfere. They have their jobs, their place in the world, just as I do. I admire them, the way they go about their business with such detached, emotionless efficiency. Try as I might, I’ve never been able to detach, to transcend emotion, and this is what holds me back from greatness.

            There’s a smell in the air, not really unpleasant, but there all the same. The coppery scent of blood, jasmine from Angela’s perfume, the first sickly-sweet hint of rot, and beneath it all something indefinable but utterly feminine. A fly lands in the corner of her left eye and pauses, perhaps drinking what moisture remains. Outside, a door slams and I leap to my feet, clutching the knife. Heavy footsteps approaching, I freeze, hold my breath, wait. The footsteps come closer, pass Angela’s door, a car door slams shut and an engine roars to life. All the breath comes out of me in a whoosh and I calm down. Just another resident of the apartments, going on with their life, unaware of the small drama taking place in number 9.

            It’s nearly dark and I know I should be going, make my escape and leave this mess for someone else to clean up, like all the others. Three days is too long, I’ve overstayed my welcome. But just like always, the damned emotions get in the way. I light a cigarette and settle back onto the floor beside her.

            It’s so hard to go.

Welcome to my blog, here's a litle treat.

Although I've been writing and submitting stories for years, today marks my first venture into any sort of online promotion of my creations. Since this blog in completely devoid of content, I thought that I should post something to make this space a little less...empty, I guess. I figure that the most logical thing for an unknown author to post is something he has written. Therefore, I present to you a little piece of flash fiction that I wrote about 5 or 6 years ago. This was an attempt to write a story using nothing but dialogue. I realize it is far from perfect, but I've always gotten a chuckle out of this one.

Of course, this story is my own personal property and I would really appreciate if nobody steals it. 

On the Wagon

By

Joshua D. Thomas

“I promise, Janie, I’m on the wagon.”

“I’ve heard that before, Roger.”

“I know, honey. But that was the old me. The new me is stronger, smarter, and completely dedicated to giving up this awful habit.”

“I don’t know, Roger. I mean, I want to believe you. But I don’t want to get hurt again, I don’t think I can take it.”

“I know, baby. God, I hate myself for what I’ve done to you in the past. But things are different now, I’m different. This is my 28^th day on the wagon.”

“Oh wow! 28 days, I’m so proud of you Roger.”

“It feels great, my head is so clear now. I just feel so…focused.”

“Well, you’ve really impressed me, Roger. I really never thought you’d find the strength to quit.”

“So, does this mean you’ll give me another chance?”

“Well, I think we can start talking about getting things back on track. But don’t expect me to let you spend the night tonight. You’ve got to prove to me that you are dedicated. To this and to me.”

“Oh, I know Janie. I’m not trying to rush into things, but it makes me so happy that you’d even consider taking me back.”

“It’s a good start, Roger, and we’ll just have to see where it goes from here. Now, it’s late, we’ve been sitting here in your car for an hour. Walk me to the door and we’ll talk more tomorrow.”

“Ok. Yes, definitely, I know you have to work early in the morning. I’m telling you Janie you’re not going to…”

“What’s that sticking out of your trunk?”

“Huh? I don’t see anything.”

“That’s hair, Roger. Whose hair is that?”

“Wha…I don’t…that’s not hair.”

“Yes it is, it’s a woman’s hair. Open the trunk, Roger.”

“I…No, I’m not going to stand here and be accused…”

“Give me the keys, GIVE ME THE KEYS! I’ll see for myself. Oh hell Roger, who is that?”

“Janie, I can explain.”

“There’s a woman’s head in your trunk, Roger. I don’t think I need an explanation. You lied to me. 28 days on the wagon my ass.”

“Today is my 28^th day. It was just one little slip, honest.”

“This isn’t going to work, Roger. Get away from me and don’t come back until you’ve gotten some help. Recreation is one thing, but this is just out of hand.”

“Janie come back! Janie, please, just one more chance! Please!”
"Come on, Janie. Janie! No, don't shut the door. No!"

“Well, Cindy, looks like my schedule just opened up. Wanna go back to my place?”

 As I already said, this was a fun little experiment that I wrote years ago and I hope you enjoyed it. Coming up this Saturday, July 20th, I will be featured in issue #11 of Sanitarium Magazine. This will be a milestone for me, my first published piece of fiction after years of writing and submitting stories. Pick up the issue, give my story "On The Farm" a read, and let me know what you think.

Also, stay tuned to this blog and my Facebook account for news about upcoming projects. I'm just getting started folks, so get ready, things are about to get messy.