Bonnie Clarkson

“Light on a Path” by Bonnie Clarkson

Submitted to Contest #92

Brian and Keith, sixteen-year-old friends, camped without adults for the first time. In the mid-afternoon, Keith drove his car to arrive at a clearing for their campsite. Camping for the last six years, the boys felt confident in their ability to find firewood and prepare a campfire. Keith and Brian each wore an old tee-shirt and blue jean shorts. To cool off, Keith pulled his shoulder-length brown hair into a short ponytail. He busied himself shifting his load of firewood, practicing showing off muscles with his tattoo. Brian prepared ...

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“The Library Book” by Bonnie Clarkson

Submitted to Contest #91

      Jacob, a sophomore in college, used his hand to lead his eyes to a good horror book in that section of the library. Surely, he could locate one he had not read. His hand came to an empty spot. A little closer examination showed a book squeezed nearly to the back of the shelf. With a little effort, the black book came loose. Amazed to see the title of Holy Bible in gold letters, his curiosity made him wonder why it is in the horror section. The banned book should not be in the library at all. Being an autho...

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“The Decision” by Bonnie Clarkson

      “I’m having a baby!” said the mother offering her hands to Kaylin who walked in after school. When she heard her mother, the fourteen-year-old bent slightly forward and grabbed her mother’s hands.            “We are?!” said Kaylin. “I’ll have a baby brother or sister like I always wanted!”            The two danced around together on the living room floor, their long hair swaying side to side. &nbs...

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“The Unforeseen Prank” by Bonnie Clarkson

Submitted to Contest #87

“Have you got it, Howard?” “Yeah, here it is.” The slightly overweight boy answered. He gave George, his fraternal brother, a book dust cover. It is only natural to find a book jacket in a library, but it is unusual for a junior high boy to have one with the title. “Counselling Parents”. George, quicker and thinner than his brother, grabbed the dust cover and put it around the book he held, then on the shelf.              “I saw her come in the library. We have to hurry,” said H...

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“The Winning Arrangement” by Bonnie Clarkson

Submitted to Contest #86

           Weather cooperated with Richard’s plans for attending the state fair. No rain. Lots of sunshine, but not too hot. The people wore clothing colorful enough to be an entry of a florist’s design. He believed walking the fairgrounds to be more pleasurable than an ocean cruise.            Richard, thirty-years-old and with brown hair, looked at his map. He noticed the university’s home and garden landscaping display on the map...

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“To Endure Suffering” by Bonnie Clarkson

Submitted to Contest #84

           Zinnia answered the cell phone, only to hear Jan, her supervisor, on the other end. With eyes half shut and an unsteady slump, she breathed slowly.            “The new nurse quit when she realized what wearing the PPE was like. We need you in the ICU.”  Zinnia did not dare go back to bed. She straightened up and opened her eyes fully. “Yes, I’ll be there.”   After dressing in the white nurse’s uniform, Zinnia...

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“The Old and the New” by Bonnie Clarkson

Submitted to Contest #82

Sharon invited her grandson Kyle and his son, Jayden, into the house. Jayden immediately sat on the couch and started playing his favorite video game.            “I brought Jayden for your visitation time. Are you sure you can get along with him? He is easily bored.”            “I’ve raised boys. I should know.” The great-grandmother looked fondly at Jayden. “He was a cute baby, and he is cute now.”      &n...

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“MCP-5” by Bonnie Clarkson

Submitted to Contest #82

      Captain Nick Lasiter rubbed his eyes, yawned, and gave up designing his computer chip for now. He stood to stretch. After two years working on the Microchip Prototype 5 – MCP-5 for short – he believed he would finish in three weeks. His job consisted of integrating into the chip all the different departments’ components and designing a computer-body interface. Maybe a promotion would be in store for him. Surely, his work would give him national recognition.        &n...

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“One Day Spat” by Bonnie Clarkson

Submitted to Contest #81

Katrina wore an emerald green dress and her signature four inch high heels. Her shoulder length wavy, strawberry-blonde dyed hair had just a touch of gray. Looking at her no one would believe she was a seventy-year-old grandmother. Her husband, Russell Driscoll, had salt and pepper hair. His rugged build and moustache reminded her of Tom Selleck.           Russell and Katrina sat together while listening to the preacher. He explained the concepts of forgiveness, Jesus’ peace that passes ...

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“Relocation and the Big Lie” by Bonnie Clarkson

Submitted to Contest #80

During rousing John Philip Sousa music, the TV screen interrupted the Independence Day Fireworks Celebration with “Special Report” in the largest blue font possible on a red background. Soon the screen switched to the news anchorman in a dark blue suit with a red, white, and blue striped tie. At the news desk, he stared straight at the camera while speaking.            “I am Jaden Kelley, your news anchorman here at KXXY station. We interrupt the Independence Day Fireworks Celebration to...

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“The Spirit of the Father” by Bonnie Clarkson

Submitted to Contest #79

The sound of the circular saw filled the room. The 32-year-old man stopped to enjoy the smell of the fresh sawdust and lumber. The father exuded good health with an athletic form and not an ounce overweight. On the floor beside the father, Sandy—a red-headed six-years-old—searched for something to go with his wooden blocks. What he found was a board mounted on legs. He placed it beside his blocks. With a mallet, he pounded the circular block in the round hole and the square block in the square hole. Daddy, pleased at what he considered a ...

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“Half the Truth” by Bonnie Clarkson

Submitted to Contest #76

Trigger warning: mentions of alcohol abuse            I’m ready to throw my cell phone against the wall.            After a week of bad reception, I returned to the store where I bought it.            “What can I help you with?” asked the clerk.            “I’ve had this cell phone thirty-one days, and the person I’m calling ...

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“Two Year Old” by Bonnie Clarkson

Submitted to Contest #76

THOONK! The horn yanked my gaze from the window to the windshield, now almost full of a semi-truck and trailer. The sight compelled my lungs to suck in deeply. The driver barely missed us by swerving around us. Mother swerved to the right and slammed to a stop. My mother had driven halfway into his lane.               “Didn’t you see him coming?” I fumed. “It’s incredible we didn’t have an accident.” While Mother’s hands were still glued to the steering wheel, I lunged toward t...

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“Thanksgiving Versus Pride” by Bonnie Clarkson

This is an allegory of a boxing match between Thanksgiving and Pride. It is written as if it was reported on a radio station. Blows and punches are given names. I hope it fits the definition of all dialogue. ANNOUNCER: This is it. The fight of fights of the year. The fight is between heavyweights, Thanksgiving and Pride, who will punch, pound, and pummel each other to see who wins the prize. We talked to Pride in the locker room and here is what he said. ANNOUNCER: Are you sure you are ready for this fight? PRIDE: Never been fitter. I...

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“Making a Connection” by Bonnie Clarkson

Submitted to Contest #73

Making a Connection “Father, are you home?” Coming in the door, Leigh Covington the athletic, blond, thirty-year-old and Tony, her autistic, eight-year-old son, came into the house holding hands.   “Merry Christmas, Father!” Leigh dropped Tony’s hand. She held out her arms to embrace her father, while the child stood at the center of the room and stared at the ceiling. “I have a special gift for you.” The door opened and Leigh’s husband Willard Covington, strong and tall, built like a football player, drug in a bushy Christmas tr...

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