Douglas W. Carr

“So Shineth the Light” by Douglas W. Carr

Submitted to Contest #282

“So, you want me to apologize because they come to our house and ruin my day? They just like to create drama. I’m certain they do it intentionally to ruin my day. I won’t do it, I won’t apologize.” “Jack,” Claire interjected. “What?” “We go through this every Christmas night. We sit here and have the same conversation.” “Yeah, I know, and it needs to stop – I’m not doing this again.” “You say that every year. Only you can correct this. You’re letting them ruin your day and by association ruining my day – our day.” “I need to get away. I mea...

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“Jesus Yelled at Me” by Douglas W. Carr

Submitted to Contest #227

Earth orbits around the Sun at a speed of approximately 67,000 miles per hour (107,000 km/hr). At the same time, Earth spins on its axis at approximately 1,000 miles per hour (1,600 km/hr). All the while, Earth is bombarded by electromagnetic radiation from the Sun. Thankfully, the Earth produces a magnetic field – acting as a shield. Additionally, the galaxy is hurling through space and the universe at an estimated and mind-numbing speed of 1.3 million miles per hour, and seemingly randomly. I don’t know who’s driving this thing, but I...

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“Yet to Come” by Douglas W. Carr

In the fall of 1983, Warren was beginning his academic journey at the local college in his hometown. He was mostly quiet and shy and kept to himself, but he did have a few friends, not one of which would be attending the same college. Warren hadn’t a clue what discipline to study, but that wasn’t uncommon for most college freshman. He signed up for the most basic courses and those that would fulfill general requirements. The college was Christian affiliated and therefore a series of religion courses were required. He wasn’t too concerned a...

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“Phantasmagoria” by Douglas W. Carr

Submitted to Contest #222

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, Phantasmagoria is defined as 1) an exhibition of optical effects and illusions, 2) a constantly shifting complex succession of things seen or imagined – or a scene that constantly changes, 3) a bizarre or fantastic combination, collection, or assemblage. “Again, when I close my eyes, I see static – like very small particles moving quickly all around – and within seconds everything seems to shift, and random things just appear. They appear as if I were seeing them with my eyes open only not clea...

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“The Taste of a Tear” by Douglas W. Carr

Submitted to Contest #218

“Mom, take hold of my hand, we’re going for a walk if you’re ready. I’m so glad you came with us. It’s just a short walk, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.” “Why are your hands so dry and rough?” Mom said. “Are you drinking enough water and moisturizing?” “Mom, I’m fine,” Joanie replied. “Remember, let me guide you and take your time.” “I know, I know. I’m blind not stupid.” “Sorry, I’m just overly excited. Let’s go!” Joanie guided her mom to the elevator and down to the ground floor. They turned right and walked toward the main door, which...

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“Vaya Con Dios” by Douglas W. Carr

Submitted to Contest #206

Diego – or Chico by his friends – hadn’t lived his best life and found himself mixed up with the wrong crowd ever since he’d moved to Las Vegas. He struggled finding work – or good work – and quickly ended up on the streets with a group of thirty-something vagrants and outlaws, but he called them friends. He had never gained status with said friends nor had he risen in the ranks. He was mostly reduced to driving everyone else around in a vehicle that he first had to steal. On a most recent occasion, Diego had been preparing to steal a vehi...

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“Tap Tap Tap” by Douglas W. Carr

Submitted to Contest #196

My brother and I were hanging out at our favorite bar on Wednesday like we’d done for years. We loved sports and Wednesdays were our days to watch all sports being broadcast. My days of betting were long behind me, but I enjoyed following my brother’s bets and sharing in his success. We always sat at the bar so we could view the four screens behind and above the bar. I was drinking a top shelf bourbon with a beer and my brother was drinking a tequila like we always did, when he stood and shouted, “I won! Holy shit, I won!” “What? What did ...

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“Salad Dressing” by Douglas W. Carr

Samantha had just arrived home from work on Friday. It was about six thirty and she had just begun to contemplate what to have for dinner. She lived alone and didn’t feel much like going out, so she rummaged through the freezer and pulled out a bag of chicken nuggets. She emptied the bag on a cookie sheet and slid it into the oven. Then she placed a pan on the stove and filled it with a can of tomato soup.As she stood staring into the pan and stirring occasionally, she couldn’t help thinking about the discussion at work earlier in the day. S...

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“Accidental Enema” by Douglas W. Carr

Submitted to Contest #193

It was another Thursday night at O’Sullivan’s Pub where Tom and Jerry had been meeting for about a year after becoming friends. Both lived in the same neighborhood, which was just a couple of miles away. The pub hosted two pool clubs – one on Tuesday and the other on Thursday. Tom and Jerry had just finished a successful round of eight-ball and were bringing the night to an end with one last pint while discussing how the night had played out. The previous week had ended with Jerry accidentally cracking the shaft of his pool cue and Tom had...

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“Nozomi” by Douglas W. Carr

Submitted to Contest #191

David O’Meara was a successful advertising executive with a large marketing firm on the east coast. He was well liked by his colleagues and subordinates, but outside of work he had no social life. He never married, rarely dated, and had no children. Most everyone knew David kept to himself. In fact, outside of a few random encounters in the park with colleagues, he wasn’t seen.David lived a mostly moderate life and never did anything in excess. He lived in a modest apartment albeit it was in the best high-rise in the city. He ate in most of ...

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“Friend of the Devil: The Irreverent Comedy” by Douglas W. Carr

“Welcome to hell,” came a gnarly voice from behind – what looked like – a cavern wall. I stood fearful and naked. At first, I felt curious why I was naked. I mean, I was accustomed to weird and vivid dreams, but why was I naked? “You seem confused,” came the voice again. Wake up, man. Wake up. You know, in your room with clothes on and just steps from the river. Where the sun shone, and the marketplace was alive with vendors. Where the children – not mine – played some game with rocks on a grid they drew with a stick. Where the ground ...

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“To the Heavens” by Douglas W. Carr

I observed him leaving his house upon packing his hunting gear on an early Thursday morning in March. He had a five-hour drive to the hunting preserve and was filled with excitement and anxious to get there. During the drive, he went over his plan for that afternoon and the hunt that would take place once he arrived. He’d made the same trip last year and reminisced about his success. He also knew he’d be picking up his trophy from last year that had recently been completed by the taxidermist who worked at the preserve. His drive was unev...

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“Breakfast with Tiffany” by Douglas W. Carr

Submitted to Contest #187

“I’m going to have to let you go. We’re not financially stable right now and – as a result – we’re restructuring. We’re letting numerous people go. It’s not you – we’re just downsizing until we can restructure to the approval of the investors. I’m asking you to clean out your cubicle by five o’clock tonight. Thanks for your time.” Those were the words from my supervisor’s mouth one Friday afternoon and just before the holiday. The company had pulled this shit before, but it never impacted me. They always made things look good on paper an...

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“Dr. Grimm’s Diagnosis” by Douglas W. Carr

Submitted to Contest #186

“Hello, it’s so good to see you. Come on in and have a seat. I was just freshening up from my morning walk.” “Thank you. It’s good to see you also. It’s been what, six months? I’ve lost track of time. Anyway, how’ve you been?” “Oh, you know…taking it day by day.” “You look tired.” “Well, I don’t sleep well. You know, the older you get the harder it becomes to get a good night’s rest.” “I suppose.” “You look well.” “Thank you. I’m in a good place now.”  “Good for you...” “Listen…I’ve been thinking. We didn’t end things very wel...

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“No Time to Gloat” by Douglas W. Carr

Submitted to Contest #186

“It’s a game and it’s just for fun. We each ask a question or make a statement in response to the other’s question or statement and each response must contain one additional word than the previous response. If that makes sense let’s begin, I’ll start.” “How?” “How what?” “How could you?” “How could I what?” “How could you not know?” “How could I not know what?” “How could you not know the game?” “Why is this game so important to you?” “How could you even ask a question like that?” “Where am I supposed to go with this from here?” ...

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