Short Stories Archives » Always the Good Girl

Broken Things | A Short Story

He worshiped her.

Most days, it seemed like she almost hated him but he didn’t care. He was addicted to the smell of her, the taste, the texture of her skin.

Other than delivery people, she was the only person he ever saw or interacted with. It had been that way for almost two years.

Every time she appeared on his porch, he knew what she wanted and he wanted to give it to her. Like a junkie, he didn’t say no because he didn’t have the strength of will.

The shakes were too bad the moment she was within touching distance. He needed his fix of human contact, just for a little while.

Each visit, she brushed past him without a word, walked to his bedroom, and took off her clothes. Reclining on his bed, she waited for him to crawl between her legs and deliver as much pleasure with his mouth as she could physically stand to receive.

He never undressed. They never had sex. They didn’t talk.

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Uncommon Ideals | A Short Story

A big man with a gentle voice, Walter Allen Hall regained his family’s fortune by venturing beyond the shores of England.

While his peers insisted the only money to be made abroad was via the British East India Company or through the slave trade, he staunchly disagreed.

“People are not a commodity. Not in England, not in Africa, not anywhere a good man wishes to lay his head without shame.”

In all his business dealings, he kept his wife Florence by his side. “No man could be as clever as my Florence. The opinions of my peers mean little beside your fierce mind.”

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Valid Argument | A Short Story

“Why do you want to do this?”

To anyone else, Micah would appear annoyed, angry even. Almost thirty years as best friends taught you a lot about a person’s tells. Max knew he wasn’t angry. He was afraid.

“You know why…”

“I don’t bloody know why! Bringing her here could ruin everything.” He turned and stared at the skyline of Manhattan. “Knowing about our lifestyle on paper isn’t the same thing.”

“Here.” Max handed him a glass of bourbon. “Drink and let’s talk it through. Best case scenarios, worst case scenarios. We don’t do it unless we’re on the same page.”

Taking the glass, he shook his head. “Like I don’t know you.”

Max grinned. “I’ll attempt to talk you ‘round to my way of thinking.” He set several plates of food on the counter. “Eat. You think better when you eat.”

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A Minute | A (Super) Short Story

She needed a minute. Just one fucking minute.

To hold him, to breathe in the smell of his hair, to feel the thump of his heart against the skin of his neck.

It wasn’t fair. It would never be fair. There was nothing to be done. She’d exhausted all her options.

He made his choice.

He would marry the girl his parents wished. Return to England and live a life far from her, from this place, from where they fell in love.

First, she needed one more fucking minute.

To say goodbye.

Mink | A Short Story

“What’s your name, kid?” the deli owner asked her as she rested against the side of his building.

“Mink. Who’s askin’?” She didn’t like folks poking into her business. She was waiting on the bus and didn’t need to get hassled.

“Hmm. Interesting blue hair you got there.”

“Yeah…” Older people always had shit to say about the different colors, the piercings, the tats.

“You live up on the corner, right? I’ve seen you in the neighborhood.”

He better not be a perv. “Yeah. That’s right. How you know that?”

The way he laughed was a surprise and she frowned. “Settle down, Mink. Got no interest in a kid young enough to be my great-grandkid. I need somebody close to run errands and I’ll slip you a couple bucks.”

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