Taking A Chance…

March 27, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha8 Comments

Literally, he now sings for his Supper, but the hurrying feet of passersby barely brought in enough coins to buy him that supper. The few commuters who stopped by only paused long enough to take photos or make a video that they would probably post on their Social Media platforms to entertain their friends.

Johann’s mind drifted as he strummed away on his guitar. Momentary worries clouded his mind and all the heart melting country songs that he sang in his husky tone failed to ease the burden on his shoulders in that peculiar way that playing his guitar and singing did for him.

Life has been hard in recent times and the downpour of tough times kept increasing. He hated the thought that he has to resort to selling his personal belongings especially the guitars inherited from his grandfather, however, life hasn’t left him with many choices.

A sudden thought struck him as he pondered on what to do next and how to turn his situation around. He would enter the local talent competition and take a chance. After all, what did he have to lose?

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In response to the FFAW photo prompt above. Thank you, Sunayana MoiPensieve for the photo and Priceless Joy for this enchanting platform

Short Stories

Resignation…

March 6, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha6 Comments

Evangeline trudged to her beat up truck with a sigh of defeat and resignation. Tears pooled into her eye’s as she turned back to take one last look.

Everything was practically gone except the house that stood silent and forlorn in the backdrop and Buck the young cow who stood in the paddock and gazed at her through his limpid eye’s as if he was disgusted and accusing her of treachery.

This is it! She pushed the gear into reverse and backed out for the last time. She was not sure she would be returning to these parts for a long time to come.

The pain of failure and losing her home to foreclosure stung deeply.

She hoped the new owner would be kind to her cows.

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

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Short Stories

Hellos’ and Goodbyes’

February 27, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha19 Comments

Rhonda sighed in relief as they checked out of the airport and headed to their hotel. Another long-haul flight concluded.

Fourteen and half hours from Geneva to Los Angeles, via Zürich, would wear even the most toughened cabin crew out and she was beginning to wonder if it was time to seek for desk job opportunities.

As far as she could recall she had always being fascinated with aeroplanes and wanted to work at the airport. Going to the airport had been a treat for her from her growing up years – when they would pile into dad’s car for a drive to the next towns local airport to see the planes – till now that she works as a hostess on AirVoyage.

She never grew tired of flying to different destinations, or the busy hubs and the millions of faces hurrying along in different directions with their wheely luggage.

Some would hug and kiss, some would wave and beam in smiles, some eyes’ glistened with unshed tears of mixed emotions, some with sheer relief of touching down.

Her life was filled with a lot of hellos’ and goodbyes’ but she hoped that a welcome massage from Dirk would help answer some questions on her mind.

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Thank you, Dawn Miller, for this week’s photo and my lady P.J. for hosting us.

Short Stories

A Stolen Kiss…

February 20, 2017February 21, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha9 Comments

Watching the parade of bikers from the window, the vibrating, heavy drone of the machines gave Maggie a thrill.

Though her dad warned her severally to keep away from the loud bunch, there was something about them that excited her and she simply couldn’t resist wanting to be around them, especially that handsome rascal Rafael.

His rich laugh, long locks, and twinkling eyes warmed her insides every time he came to their pub and spared her a glance with that steady look in his eyes’.

Tonight was special, she just knew it. She had sprayed her vanilla mist perfume liberally, let her lustrous hair down and wore her pretty dress that gave her cleavage some boost.

The city’s festival lights have been lit, the mistletoes’ hung, soon the boy’s will troop into the pub for their round of drinks. Rafael is in for a surprise.

Thank you, Sunayana for this week’s photo and my lady P.J. for hosting us.

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Short Stories

The Trucker’s Love…

February 13, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha6 Comments

Kate sighed in pleasure, sipping her cup of tea and listening to her mother tell the hallmark love story of her grandparents.

No matter how many times she heard the same story, it never failed to satisfy and she hoped that someday she would find the kind of love that they had shared.

Grandpa Robert, a handsome sweet talker had fallen in love with Daisy May, the Sheriff’s daughter on his regular trucking trip through town.

Young Robert had convinced Daisy to elope with him, leaving behind an arranged marriage and an irate father.

He kept his promise to take Daisy places that she had never been before and for many years to come, they covered long miles together; even their first child, Maisie was born on the road.

Though its original owners had long passed on – mere week’s of each other’s death – the old truck’s head still sat in its’ prized position. As integral to the land as the homestead that they had built.

Thank you, Mike Vore for this week’s photo and my lady P.J. for hosting us.

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Short Stories

Timothy’s Plan…

February 6, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha15 Comments

Little Tim’s tears flowed unbidden as he trudged home from school. Other parents came but his own had failed to come and watch his performance as promised.

Momma has been drinking more often than usual, crying so much and grown forgetful. Dad seemed not to care anymore, he was hardly at home and when he came home it would always end in a shouting match with mom and broken crockery.

He hated it all. The shouting, fighting, silence… that he always hid in his room to avoid getting in their way. He felt afraid that his family would break up.

Tim didn’t want to become his classmate, poor Mary, whose parents got divorced and she caught a bad disease called Leukemia.

He knew what to do once he got home. He would talk to mom and if they continued fighting he would simply take all his money in his piggy bank and run away.

Thank you, Jessica, for this week’s photo and my lady P.J. for hosting us.

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Fiction · Short Stories

Sting Operation

January 30, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha13 Comments

Amanda chose the darker corner of the restaurant as her spot to sit and make her observations without appearing incongruous.

Multiple aromas from steaming bowls of rice, seafood, soy sauce and the medley of food made her stomach grumble, but she was reluctant to indulge because she had to keep focused. Maybe just a well-selected platter of prawns and vegetables would suffice, she thought.

The sunny outer appearance of the popular Won Ton Chinese restaurant belied the recent seamy story making the rounds.

Rumour is that beneath the facade of the restaurant lay an underbelly of human trafficking, prostitution, and drug rings.

As an undercover cop, being part of a sting operation took months of careful and diligent planning.

Most times, it involved a lot of danger, learning the smattering bits of a language or two, but she wouldn’t have it any different.

She enjoyed the excitement that her job brought.

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Thank you, Gina, for this week’s photo and my lady P.J. for hosting us.

Short Stories

Runaway…

January 16, 2017 jacquelineobyikocha20 Comments

Nervous, Anna’s heartbeats skipped faster, but with determination, she grabbed the duffle bag that contained her meagre belongings and made her way to the harbour.

Standing in the shadows she watched the tourists disembark. She knew the routine of the riverboats that frequented the quaint historic town of Oaks and Side and knew she had about two hours to sneak into a boat.

‘Keep calm Anna, don’t appear conspicuous, blend in with the passengers, this just has to work,’ she repeated under her breath. Over and over the chant emboldened her steps as she made her way to the biggest boat.

Thoughts of a failed plan are totally unpalatable for her. This time around Jude would probably kill her.

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

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Short Stories

Coming Out…

November 28, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha17 Comments

From the top of the hill, Logan stared at the house at the foot of the hills, a deep longing stirred in him.

It’s just a few meters to the place that would always remain home in his heart but was no longer welcoming to him.

He knew that they would be gathered around the table chit-chatting and passing the plates around.

In his minds’ eye, he could see the setting; he could smell the vanilla and cinnamon, he could almost taste his mother’s signature pecan pie and tears pricked his eyes.

Did they ever think about him? Did they miss him the way he missed them or were their hearts still hardened towards his choices in life?

When his dad stands at the pulpit to preach about love to his congregation, does his mind go to his only son?

Logan loves Greg his partner deeply, but he misses his family so much.

Sometimes, he wonders if the price of coming out of the closet five years ago was not too steep and he often finds himself in an emotional quandary.

Thank you Footie and Foodie for the inspiring photo and Priceless Joy our amiable hostess for your support.

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Short Stories

Swift Fingers…

November 14, 2016November 14, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha11 Comments

Davey juniors small fingers moved the pawns with such dexterity and certainty that surprised Maxwell who was considered the chess champion and legend in the neighbourhood.

He wasn’t about to let a little human beat him on his turf and at a game that he could play and win blind.

Checkmate! Davey’s pronouncement dug into Maxwell’s ribs in irritation. A round of chess he had laughingly engaged in to entertain the young fellow had turned out differently.

Out of reluctant admiration, he wanted to know how Davey became such an excellent player at such a young age and Davey’s response brought a smile of understanding to his face.

Davey junior had learnt from a renowned chess champion. As a tiny tot, his late grandpa Sir David Checkers aka Swift Fingers used to balance him on his knees and he thought him everything that he needed to know to play like a champion.

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