David Sanchez

“"Be Sure to Get the Fettuccine Alfredo"” by David Sanchez

Submitted to Contest #218

Faliero’s Ristorante Italiano 208 West Resler Avenue Valley Heights, TX 78901 Recent Review: The Worst Meal I’ve Ever Tasted Submitted by user R. Talamantes, 30-Sept-2023, 11:48 p.m. Normally I don’t post reviews on this site, but this time I felt I had to. This was far and away THE worst meal I’ve ever tasted. The service was impeccable, though, which makes this review so difficult to write. But if I set the table, as it were, then you’ll see why I gave this restaurant zero stars. So on Friday, I was talking to a coworker about pl...

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“The Jester's Discovery” by David Sanchez

Submitted to Contest #210

The court jester ran into the throne room of the castle. He almost burst with excitement over the discovery he had made the night before when he practiced his juggling. The year was 1465. “Your majesty, I have some news to share with you—” “Not now, Jonesboro,” King Oswald of Astoria cut in. “That can wait. While you’re here, do that dance that the queen and I just love.” “Well, sure, your majesty,” the court jester sighed. “But while I do this dance, can I tell you the news I need to share?” “First the dance, then the news, okay?” “As ...

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“The Regal Grocery King” by David Sanchez

Submitted to Contest #207

“Cut!” the director’s voice flew through the mostly empty grocery store. “Cut!” the assistant director’s much calmer voice repeated the command. The director took off his headphones and walked toward me. “Okay, let’s try this again,” the director said. “Only this time, really puff out your chest. You’re excited about this week’s sale. You have to be excited. You’re the grocery store mascot.” “Got it,” I replied and cleared my throat. One of the production assistants straightened the ermine cape on my shoulders while another fixed the tilt...

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“With Apologies to Lee Van Cleef” by David Sanchez

Submitted to Contest #204

So the other day in the cafeteria Hank Mertens and Jose Gomez had a standoff. See, Hank used to go out with Jose’s sister Mayra, but it ended badly at prom when she found Hank making out with Corinne Banks. Corinne was known as the school tramp, always hooking up with a bunch of guys, and that time at prom she got her claws into Hank. Well, Mayra broke up with Hank in the parking lot and called Jose to pick her up. That night he drove her over to Whataburger for a shake and to have her get in a good cry and shake Hank out of her system for ...

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“Cowboy” by David Sanchez

“Can I sit here,” the man asked.“Oh, sure,” I replied. I had the window seat and looked to spend the bus trip into Los Angeles observing the scenery.“Thanks,” he said and sat down. He was an older gentleman. He had a white cowboy hat with a black band, a blue jean jacket with a shearling liner, some worn black jeans, and brown boots. He had a duffel bag that he put into the overhead compartment and saw that the seat next to me was open. Because of his hat, I mentally referred to him as Cowboy.“No problem.”The bus pulled out of Valley Heights...

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“322 Passerine Place and The HGTV Defense” by David Sanchez

Submitted to Contest #196

“Can you state your name for the record, please?” “Pablo Moreno.” “And your date of birth?” “12/16/78.” “Where do you currently live?” “Here in Valley Heights, Texas.” “I meant, what neighborhood?” “Corona Hills.” “And Mr. Moreno, do you realize you are charged with trespassing -- namely, squatting in an unoccupied residence, specifically the home located at 322 Passerine Place -- on the evening of Friday, December 10th? How do you wish to plead?” “I plead not guilty,” I said in almost a whisper. I was scared. I have never had to ma...

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“Pica” by David Sanchez

Submitted to Contest #194

The plot thickens. Especially since I devour books, this phrase really hits home. No, really, I devour books. Like, literally eat them. Yes, cover to cover. Even the covers, if they’re appealing enough to my tastes. I read them, yes. But, see, I developed the habit of tearing small pieces of paper and eating them. I began that habit in grade school. It was something I did not out of curiosity, but out of a unique hunger. Books are nourishment for the brain and the soul. But can they also be nourishment for the body in a literal sense? The...

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“Lilacs, Cherry Blossoms, and Sand” by David Sanchez

Submitted to Contest #191

Julia and Bob danced in front of the reception crowd and everyone was having a blast. The DJ played “Atomic Dog” and that got a lot of people out of their seats and onto the dance floor. Julia and Bob got down, shaking their rumps and laughing. Carole and I were at our table in the reception hall, which was catty corner to the open bar. We took turns getting a drink and watched the crowd dance. Everyone else who sat with us got up to dance, except for some of my older relatives who were content with admiring the rest of us celebrate. “Just...

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“The Lion's Story” by David Sanchez

Submitted to Contest #187

The Lion’s Story By David Sanchez davesanch76@gmail.com Friends, I was on a walk through the savanna when I heard a clicking sound. It was a random number - first a couple in short bursts, then many at high speed. These were strange clicks, nothing like the mating calls from the birds in the savanna or in the treetops. I found a tuft of grass and hid behind it while I tried to find the source of the noise. I gazed toward the forest out in the distance but did not see any birds in the treetops. No sign of any elephants, zebras, or cheet...

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