Gerard Watson

“WHAT WAS IN THAT PACKAGE?” by Gerard Watson

Submitted to Contest #122

     One Saturday morning, Bill Carter found a package sitting on his doorstep. Brown paper wrapping covered the entire box. Bill examined it, then looked up and down his block, searching for whoever delivered the package. He didn’t see anyone.          “Ethel! Ethel!”          His wife appeared in the hallway.          “Yeah, what do you want? I was in the middle of sorting the lau...

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“THANKS A LOT!” by Gerard Watson

Submitted to Contest #121

   “Thanks a lot, Mr. Fawley.” “Come in and sit down, Wheeler. Sarcasm was never your strong suit. So tell me, what’s on your mind?” “It’s these briefs, sir. Why can’t Clarkson file them? We worked on them together. He knows what needs to be done as well as I do.” “Clarkson’s busy performing legal research for the firm. So, no, he can’t go, nor can I spare anyone else. Listen, Wheeler, you’re filing. That’s the end of it!” Wheeler leaned forward in his chair. “Mr. Fawley, my marriage is in trouble. My wife, Marion, believe...

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“My Mother Lives Through Me” by Gerard Watson

CW: racism towards albinos, murderIt was dusk when the men located Aadila and her mother hiding in a rural village mud hut in northern Tanzania. Witch Doctors hired mercenaries to track down and kill Aadila’s mother. They disapproved of her role as an activist for Albino’s Human Rights.; they hunted 15-year-old Aadila because she was an albino. Many Tanzanians thought of albinos as subhumans, so killing and mutilating them for their body parts was accepted. Besides, their body parts could fetch up to $75,000. An irresistible temptation ...

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“I Dare You” by Gerard Watson

Submitted to Contest #94

The students darted out of the way as the boy ran down the hallways. As he ran, he kept adjusting his glasses and backpack. Skidding to a stop in front of his best friend’s locker. He bent over and tried to catch his breath. Jamar Taylor placed his hands on the boy’s shoulder and asked, “What’s the hurry, Mouse?” “Jamal!” He took a breath “Jamal!” Another breath.”There’s a rumor going around school that the Aces are going to ask you to join their gang during lunch period.” Jamal shook his head as he placed his books in his locker. “Naw. Do...

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“THE SURPRISE PARTY” by Gerard Watson

Submitted to Contest #93

I closed my eyes and wished I were anyplace else but at the Dumm & Associates Company’s Sales and Marketing Division’s Annual party. Some geniuses in marketing decided it would be a great idea to shorten the name. So, they stretched a massive banner across the stage with the abbreviated name: Dumm/Ass. Who approved that? Opening my eyes, I sat back and sighed. The four couples at my table were entertaining themselves with cocktails and mind-numbing chattering. I’m a recovering alcoholic. Three years sober, and the smell of liquor makes...

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“The Lucky Librarian” by Gerard Watson

Submitted to Contest #91

Loud voices shatter the ordinarily quiet atmosphere of the library’s main study room. Librarian Ambrose Bixby snatches two high school IDs off his desk and marches into the room. He slows down just long enough to signal for the security officer to join him. They approach two boys sitting at the back table. “Don’t pretend to be studying now, Gentlemen. This is the third time I’ve had to speak to you about the noise you’re making. As I explained to you the first two times, your noise is disturbing the other patrons. I’m sorry, here’s your id...

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“A Mircle in the Tropics” by Gerard Watson

Submitted to Contest #83

     The twin-propeller jet streaked across the midnight tropical sky with its rear on fire. Lightning struck the tail section rocked the aircraft, putting it into a  graveyard tailspin. Suddenly, the pilot is surrounded by hazy darkness. He’s disoriented and confused. Nothing on the instrument panel behaves as it should.  The experienced pilot feels the plane descending. His arms shake as he struggles to pull the jet’s nose up.  But the aircraft’s spin gets tighter, and its descent faster. He wipes th...

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“WHERE'S ESTELLE?” by Gerard Watson

Submitted to Contest #78

      The skill set Joe Benson spent years mastering technology rendered obsolete in the 1980s. Because of his unique talent, Joe is in constant demand. Joe’s an expert at repairing Rotary Telephones. He could fix any rotary telephone.  If you were born after the 1990s, likely, you never saw a rotary phone. Like the cellphone today, everyone had a rotary telephone. Through the repairs and consulting fees, Joe earned a comfortable living.          Joe surveyed h...

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