Across the bridge….

June 6, 2016August 22, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha28 Comments

Maria stared intently across the wide expanse of water she was completely lost in thoughts.

This is the fourteenth anniversary and though everyone thinks that she should move on, her heart was too restless to do so and it was difficult to find any form of closure.

Fourteen years since Theodore took their boy Sam to go fishing and they never came back. Their boat was later found upside down at the other side of the bridge.

The search team and private detective never found anything. No bodies were recovered and she believes that they were still alive.

She believes that Theo had escaped their rural living into the shiny brightness of the big city. He had suddenly acquired a taste for city life and had gone completely off their rural lifestyle which she loved.

Maria could still recall their last heated exchange over selling their home, the day before he left the house with their little boy.

She stared at those highrises twinkling from afar. It’s time to go back and search again.

They have to be there, somewhere.

InLinkz

Thank you, Barbara, for the photo and Priceless Joy for hosting this charming platform where we unleash our stories

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

From the very first poem, “Dreams,” this book captivates with passionate and perceptive words. Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha captures a broad expanse of the human experience in this book of richly layered poems.

Out of the silent breath

The hamper of goodies…Friday fiction in five sentences.

June 3, 2016August 8, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha12 Comments

The ding-dong of the doorbell sounded loud in the silent, dim house.

Ginger and her owner opened the door, met no one but a wicker hamper with goodies; a bottle of red, a thick slab of ham, some fruitcake, pecan pie and a card that simply said ‘thank you.’

Ms. Penelope always thought highly of herself and felt gratified that someone had finally come to their good sense to appreciate her neighbourly attitude. She forgot that five minutes ago she sat in the dark in her house stewing over the din coming from the neighbours who were obviously having a swell party without inviting her. She had been contemplating calling the police before the bell rang.

She forgot that she was the neighbourhood’s reliable gossip, all seeing eye busy-body who had observed the licentious shenanigans going on in the home of the Stottgard’s now ex’s.

A generous portion of red poured into her chipped mug and a good helping of pie, she wondered again what the O’hilley’s were up to with the plumber visiting Mrs O’hilley ever so often. That’s a riddle that no one has an answer to, because, since the night of the party, Ms Penelope hasn’t been seen puttering around other people’s business, but her poor Tabby has been heard crying late into the nights.

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Fiction · Short Stories

The Hatching Van…

May 23, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha17 Comments

For weeks, the boys kept disappearing into the backyard to the old truck, surreptitiously sneaking stuff out of the kitchen with them.

Julie didn’t pay them much mind. She believed they were livening up the disused truck that they called ‘their boy cave’ and she was happy to have them out of her hair.

Being a mother to three energetic boys and a toddler daughter underfoot could exhaust a Saint.

Her curiosity only got aroused when Kelly took to mumbling ‘porous, porous‘ and pointing insistently at the door, wanting to follow her brothers.

Kelly’s demands turned to shrill cries that drove her mother to go and find out what was going on.

Loud, shuffling noises came from the closed van and on her persistent knocking, Toby opened it a bit.

Pushing it open, Jill stepped inside, to find a big green monster lying on her soft cushions and peering at her, with several giant eggs under the glow of a bulb, about to hatch.

For several moments she was utterly speechless, then she went berserk.

InLinkz

Thank you, Yinglan for the photo and Priceless Joy for hosting this charming platform where we unleash our stories

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Enchant me with your expressive eyes, that crinkles in laughter as you speak

that I may find myself ever caught between

the reflections of your pupils and there shall I remain.

*an excerpt of my poem*

Creative Writing · Fiction · Short Stories

Money,Lipsticks and Beer…

May 16, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha31 Comments

Bo tucked the money into his wallet with a sigh.

Now he could give Celia an overdue treat. He wasn’t proud of the fact that he took to the hidden work of strutting and teasing a crowd of hooting women to earn money, but things have been financially rough for so long.

Maybe now he had a little extra, he could finish work on the vintage and put it up for sale.
——
Lipsticks, beer breath, perfumes and powder on cuffs…she saw them all.

Celia’s evidence against Bo reverberated in her mind as she threw her things into her bag.

He never had money to take her out, forgot her birthday two days ago, yet he had enough to booze up with other ladies and to work on the infernal vintage that he inherited from his uncle.

She knew he was up to some monkey affair with another lady, due to his dodgy, morose mood.

She chuckled in mirth at his imagined outrage when he see’s his beloved vintage where she parked it, but she would be far away.

She had painted it in patterns of the things she liked.

Inlinkz

Thank you, S.Writings for the photo and Priceless Joy for hosting this charming platform where we unleash our stories

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

Enchant me with your expressive eyes, that crinkles in laughter as you speak

that I may find myself ever caught between

the reflections of your pupils and there shall I remain.

*an excerpt of my poem*

Creative Writing · Fiction · Friday Fiction in Five Sentences · Writing

Curtain Call….Friday Fiction in Five Sentences.

May 13, 2016May 13, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha4 Comments

The cast takes a bow to the standing ovation of a delighted crowd for the brilliant performance of The Sweet Fairy.

Poppy flushes in excitement and pride. Her heart swells from the euphoric dopamine of being a lead for the very first time.

It’s an experience she wants to have over and over again.

For the very first time in her twelve years as an actor on Broadway, she get’s to be a lead.

No more supporting acts she vows silently to herself, her mind racing on how to continue ensuring that Loretta remains incapacitated with illness.

Below is my first just published Poetry Book “Out of the silent breath” which is available on Amazon and Smashwords.

When you buy my book, you support me in an invaluable manner.

Out of the silent breath

The air is so crispy

The birds are quite chirpy

The magic of nature abounds

As I imbibe all the sounds.

**

*an excerpt of my poem*

Creative Writing · Fiction

A ticket to Athens…

May 9, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha17 Comments

Bertha could hardly stop herself from preening in pride as the Mayor cut the tape for the new boating dock and the marble, torch statue that would be seen for miles and miles. It would blaze at night, welcoming all seafarers back to the safe harbour of their small fishing town of Little-Uptown.

Who would have thought that out of all the submitted landmark sculpture entries, that her O’Deon would be chosen? She was the cynosure of all eyes.

In a small town such as this, female artistry was hardly encouraged much less acknowledged but the new Mayor seemed more progressive.

Even when she was teased by mates for taking up sculpting classes that were male dominated, she hadn’t relented in her pursuit but learnt to ignore the snide comments like ‘Luv shouldn’t you be in the weaving class, you are in over your head,’ and the male guffaws that followed such wise-cracks.

Now the prize money is more than enough to buy her a ticket and tutelage in Athens, which had always been part of her dream.

InLinkz

Thank you, momtheobscure, for the photo and Priceless Joy for hosting this charming platform where we unleash our stories

Creative Writing · Fiction · Short Stories

Al Fonzi’s…

May 2, 2016May 2, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha25 Comments

Sal’s damp hands, pounding heart, and throbbing temple announced an impending migraine. She struggled to maintain elegant poise before polite company whose smiling faces got on her nerves.

Now and again she felt eyes rest on her in sympathy or surreptitious glances that feigned disinterest.

The champagne tasted like chilled piss and the food held no interest for her.

Here. Where it had all happened, her mind whirred back in painful rewind.

Here was their favourite place to celebrate. First date, proposal, engagement party and every milestone worth celebrating.

She wondered fleetingly how insensitive her sister could be. Of all the places to choose for an engagement party, it has to be Al Fonzi’s. She had contemplated not turning up, but felt it would cause more wagging tongues as she became fodder for dinner discussion, not as if she already wasn’t.

Here, held all the good memories until the ugly incident brought her life to a screeching nightmare.

Here, where Stanford chose to blow his brains across the dinner table in a horrific way.

The room got too claustrophobic, the laughter and music rushed at her as she stood to go to the ladies. Sal succumbed to the encroaching blackness in a dead faint.

InLinkz

Thank you, Graham, for the photo and Priceless Joy for hosting this charming platform where we unleash our stories

Fiction · Friday Fiction in Five Sentences · Short Stories

The Vicar’s Secret…

April 29, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha26 Comments

Wedding, People, Church, Nuptials, Event, Heart, Grooms

The Vicar looked ill. He looked more like a man facing the guillotine than one who was performing the rites of matrimony. His heart hurt as he faced the couple. She looked as beautiful as ever, and he wondered how he would keep up with serving the parish and listen to her sweet singing voice in the choir.

He would have preferred to avoid being here, he could have asked for a replacement with a preposterous excuse – in fact, it wouldn’t have been an excuse that he had the runs – yet his sense of preservation deserted him.

His lips were dry, his stomach churned and his voice croaked and squeaked at the same time as he asked the question “If anyone has a reason for these two not to wed, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

The air in the chapel shrunk in silence. No one expected an answer to a question that was simply a formality and all the heads swung in the direction of the back pew from where a voice had said an emphatic yes.

The old groundskeeper stood. Nodding to the Vicar, he said in his booming and gentle voice ”my boy, don’t you think you’ve got something to say to the congregation?”

P.S...I leave it to you to find a fitting end to this story. What do you think transpired?

Fiction · Short Stories

Embittered…

April 25, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha19 Comments

Xavier stood in the shadowy background of the trees and waited for her.

He stared longingly at the house with the windmill. Embittered thoughts raced through his mind. He was surprised that he still seethed in silent rage.

No one would cheat him of his birthright and get away with it, not if he had anything to do about it.

Now it’s time to make good on his promise.

That cattle and land grabbing thief Alistair swindled his father when Pa was inebriated and took over their homestead. Pa killed himself. He died a broken drunk man and his Ma sent them all into servitude.

It took decades to get to this point. Years of working his fingers to the nub from an all errand’s boy on the ship to owning his own boat.

It took strategic planning to get into favour with Alistair’s only daughter Gwen.

He hadn’t planned on liking her but he won’t allow such feelings get in the way of his plans.

Tonight, he’ll coerce her to join him on the boat set sail with her. By the time they get back on dry land, she would be his wife.

InLinkz

Thank you TJ for the photo and Priceless Joy for hosting this charming platform where we unleash our stories 🙂

Creative Writing · Fiction · Short Stories

Fresh breath of desire…Friday fiction in five sentences.

April 22, 2016February 19, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha11 Comments

Liam had forgotten this. The way your senses exploded with desire and the pulse raced. A sudden awakening feeling as if he had been in a long deep sleep.

All the exciting tingle coursed through his veins from the soft and warm hand that he clasped in greeting. A deep urge to pull her closer and kiss her full, glossy inviting lips nudged him even as his thumb gently brushed her knuckles almost subconsciously.

Now he understood his son’s fascination with his music and art’s teacher, Miss Felicity. It was easy to get besotted with this exquisite being that stood before him, judging the way he felt. She looked like a fairy with her big baby blue and long-lashed eyes; even her upturned nose had a dusting of freckles.

For weeks, Kevin had gone on and on with one recount or the other on Miss Felicity. Since his mother passed four years ago, this would be the first female he had seen his son warm up to enough for the young boy to try matchmaking his lonely dad with his favourite teacher.

Liam’s heart softened and he muttered silent thanks to God while allowing himself to absorb the sweet energy of the face that smiled up at his in open invitation.

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