Francis Daisy

“Head Swirls and Twists of Fate” by Francis Daisy

He stared at the swirls in the white sand painted ceiling. It felt like just yesterday that he and his wife were choosing Bryce Canyon Red walls reminiscent of their most recent hiking trip. It was hard to believe that more than fifteen years had passed since that trip and almost as many since they had repainted the den. He smiled to think about the rocks resting on the mantle. They had taken so many trips, adventures, and road trips. They liked to tackle home renovation projects together too.  Tearing out the kitchen, oh that was a s...

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“Show Time” by Francis Daisy

Submitted to Contest #127

“C’mon! Let’s get this show on the road, Nat. The movie starts in ten,” Levi tapped his watch from where he stood near the door. Nat shook his head. “This isn’t another one of those animated ones is it?” He grabbed his coat off the back of the sofa and started to shrug his arms into the sleeves. The last action movie involved a stay white puff marshmallow hero who walked around with bacitracin healing powers or some such nonsense. “I don’t know how I let you talk me into movies. Why not just stay in? Order take out? Watch a hockey game ...

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“Are there squirrels in my attic?” by Francis Daisy

The tabby cat lays curled beside me in bed. She is giving herself her nightly bath when we both hear the rustling. It sounds like someone is moving boxes in the room next door. Or maybe a pile of fall leaves are being raked up. Either way, both of our heads swivel in unison to the right. We stare at the corner of my bedroom and listen intently. There is nothing there. Her green eyes look at me and she returns to licking her paws. I go back to reading my book. The blanket is warm and her purring is soft. Soon we are both asleep.Hours later, t...

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“Lost but not forgotten, but in this case, Lost AND forgotten” by Francis Daisy

It is said that desperate times call for desperate measures. If ever there was a desperate time, this was it. Thad thought back to what his grandmother used to tell him about that gold pendant she wore around her neck. What was it again? A hatchet? An axe? Something about a Saint and how he died and how he was desperate also. No, that wasn’t it. The dude wasn’t desperate. Everyone else was desperate. Or was Saint Jude telling them not to despair? His grandma always said without hope there is only despair. Or was that the saint talking again?...

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“Just a Random Rant” by Francis Daisy

Submitted to Contest #123

Dear Surgeon General Admiral Murthy, Reflecting upon recent events I feel the need to react to an article that was posted this morning in the Los Angeles Times. Or is it Las Angeles? I can never remember. Whatever. That’s not the point. The point is WTF. When is enough enough. The surgeon general is now warning of an “emerging” mental health crisis in our youth? You are seriously, just today, warning that there is a crisis that may or may not be starting in our young children. Are you joking? Do you think you are calling attention to this ...

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“96%” by Francis Daisy

Submitted to Contest #121

Driving down the highway, she passes an eighteen wheeler. It has a large yellow sign plastered to the back side: Come join our team! Customers report that they are 96% satisfied with us!“Did you just read that sign?” She asks her daughter. “They think 96% is something to brag about? They are OKAY with 96%? I don’t think I would want to work for a company where the customers aren’t 100% satisfied.”“Mom, you’re joking, right?” her daughter turns the radio back up to ear deafening, thus ending the conversation.“I’m not kidding, kiddo, what...

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“You Must Be So Proud” by Francis Daisy

“You must be so proud of your husband!” my father in law wrapped me into a warm embrace. We were standing on the driveway in front of our house. The shade from the tall oak tree covering the hot summer sun, but I could still feel the heat coming from the black tar driveway. The in-laws were in town for a quick overnight visit. My father in law was referring to the fact that my husband was so active in his professional life and in the National Guard. He himself was a retired military man and was a true patriot. He felt everyone should serve t...

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“Incredible” by Francis Daisy

Her:What were they thinking when they said they would host both families for Thanksgiving? Whose idea was this anyway? Didn't she say that both sets of parents could come? That was it, she is sure she said this one night over a glass of Chardonnay, or two, that wouldn't it be lovely if their moms and dads could come and spend the holiday at their house for a change. This way they wouldn't have to travel the four hours east or west to either one of their parents' homes. This way they wouldn't be forced to choose one parent over the other. Thi...

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“Hawaii and Rolling Stones” by Francis Daisy

“Excuse me, dear. I didn’t mean to be eavesdropping,” the grey haired lady interrupted.The diner was more crowded than usual this Saturday morning. Every booth and table was filled with families with young children or groups of teenagers or old senior citizen couples. Breanna and Alivia had been forced to sit at the counter. The two friends had been meeting for breakfast once a week since junior high school. College and work sometimes made the meals short and sweet, but they made time for one another.Maple syrup, french toast, pancakes,...

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“Sevens” by Francis Daisy

I once read that a body goes through a major transformation every seven years. If you think about it, it's kind of true. At seven, we are wrapped up in dreams of birthday parties, Santa, sleepovers, lollipops, bike rides, candy bars, and mom can fix everything with a kiss and a hug. At fourteen, our worlds revolve around friends and weekend plans. We need our parents for rides to our next social event: school dances or school sporting events or school. Our lives are ruled by school and our school friendships and school drama. Mom cannot...

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“Give me liberty!” by Francis Daisy

My right hand raised in a tight fist, I shouted, “Give me liberty or give me death!”The sun was still shining. The sky was still blue. The birds were still singing their sweet songs. My dad’s lip quivered as he tried not to smile. But my mom’s hands were on her hips. “Young lady, you get inside and sweep! Right now!”“...unless…” my dad started, “You can tell us who originally said that quote.”I knew this. My fourth grade teacher had just explained Patrick Henry in school. He said it in 1775, just before 1776 when our Constitution was si...

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“Disjointed” by Francis Daisy

The room smelled like moth balls and lavender and it was not a good combination. Maria thought she might use the tiny waste basket in the corner as a puke bucket if the bull shit got much deeper. The room, if you could call the closet sized space one, felt claustrophobic with dark tapestries draped on the walls. Behind the woman speaking was a kaleidoscope of purples, blues, indigoes, and reds. The candle in the center of the table flickered even though there was no breeze in the stuffy space.  “You seek information.”  No kiddi...

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“Rainy days and Mondays” by Francis Daisy

Submitted to Contest #112

He was a small tight ball of flesh in the foyer. About the size of one of those beach balls that are tossed around concerts or sporting events. He wrapped his arms around his legs and tucked his head in between his knees and made himself as tiny and as invisible as he could. He tried to just disappear. When Mrs. Marva walked into the office the tension was high. “We have to get him on the bus,” from the secretary.“I don’t know how we’re going to get him on that bus,” said the aide.“The buses are leaving and so are we,” from another aide...

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“Plenty of ” by Francis Daisy

Plenty of Thyme“I don’t know Dad, there’s plenty of time left on the clock. The Bills can still kick a field goal to win the game,” Michelle said to the gray haired man sitting in the worn green recliner. She was standing in the doorway holding a fistful of black plastic garbage bags. Her dad smirked but his eyes never left the screen, “One of these days, kid, one of these days. You’ll see. Our Buffalo Bills will win a Super Bowl. Just probably not this season.”“You say that every season. Now I’ve got to go shovel off the floor in Ella’...

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“It's no day for a snow day” by Francis Daisy

Ice cold wind turned her cheeks bright red between parking her car in the lot and the front door of her office building. Snow drifts were knee deep in some places, forcing her to lift her feet a touch higher than she would have liked on the slippery pavement. But it was either that, or deal with soggy socks for the rest of the morning. This felt like a never-ending winter. The snow started early this year, a white Thanksgiving and Christmas. And now it looked like they would be having a white Easter too. Summer couldn't come fast e...

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