This weekend, for its 33rd edition, Trifextra is asking for 33 words that use the Rule of 3 in some way.
… Read the restThe men and women who had worked in and owned this building shifted under his gaze. Joshua gave voice to what the others were thinking. “But Chaz died.”
Anton spit. “That’s more reason, not less.”
Joshua said, “Merrin ought to lead the decision. He was her husband.” Murmurs of agreement met his statement.
Merrin looked at the ground.… Read the rest
Two hours later, Manson was back on the desk, where, once again, I had not put him. “Stop it,” I told the CD. The other Marilyn Manson saw no need to jump out and get in my way all the time.… Read the rest
Rain pounds on the roof behind me, and it rushes down the trench by the sidewalk. The sound is an arrhythmic drum line chorus with rumbling thunder accompaniment. All day long, on and off, we’ve had thunderstorms, the leftovers of Hurricane Isaac finally blowing into town. Puddles turn into pools in my yard.
I stand in the downpour, completely enveloped. Gray sheets obscure everything, blurring familiar shapes and bringing false ones to life. I’m soaked to the skin. Wet needles plaster me down and peel me to the bone. Nothing is dry. Nothing should be dry. The rain records me; it recognizes every crevice and pore and marks me its own.… Read the rest
“He’s a fat cat dinosaur,” replied Jeff, the young executive on the other side of the desk. “And that’s the first place we trim.”
“If I listed the things that have kept this company afloat for the last twenty years, every page would start with ‘Frank’.”
“Edward,” said Jeff, “Are you arguing with me?”
Ed moved his hand from his stubble to the back of his neck. “I think you forget my position is being eliminated.”
“What’s your point?” Jeff leaned across towards his employee.… Read the rest
The swimming felt hard, much harder than it had felt just a few minutes ago chasing the fish.… Read the rest
“What?” Jay moved his feet around in the sand. They were wading in thigh-high water on a sandbar a good distance from shore. The setting sun reflected orange, promising a vivid sunset.
“She’s been watching us since we got out here.” Lee tugged on Jay’s arm.
“Let her look.” Jay nudged a sandy lump, but it was too curved, and he sent his toes exploring in another direction.
“I just want to enjoy this vacation.” Lee pulled harder. “I’m really not in the mood for a confrontation.”
“So ease up. Enjoy the vacation.” Jay removed Lee’s hand from his arm and instead intertwined their fingers.… Read the rest
“You’ve said that about every one of them.” Her colleague and fellow judge Janet Green tapped a pencil on the table, and the third judge, Mitch Engel shook his head.
The auditions proceeded, and Mary’s nerves clamped around her wrist so she could barely fill out the forms. Janet said, “It’s your first year. It gets better after you’ve done it awhile.” Still, when it was over, Janet, and Mitch made most of the selections with minimal input from Mary.… Read the rest
Rain peppered Crystal Rhodes. It splatted on her helmet’s visor and stung through her cotton shirt. She should have listened to her mother. But her jacket was hanging on its hook fifty miles behind her. She shook her head and more water flooded off her helmet and down her back. The rain increased to a downpour, so it was all she could hear. Even her bike’s engine was a distant roar. Water soaked through her shirt so each drop to strike her skin felt like a miniature explosion. She dodged a puddle, then eased off on the throttle. No good hydroplaning.… Read the rest