Greg Gillis

“The House I Called Home” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #139

           It was the winter of 1969, and my father rushed my mother to the hospital. It was one week before I was expected to make my appearance in this world, but I simply couldn’t wait any longer.            I was a restless child, or so I am told, so my mother and father had many sleepless nights, but inside that one-bedroom apartment, they made me feel loved despite my need for constant attention. My father worked on a construct...

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“City of Gloom” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #138

           This morning was not unlike any other morning in the City of Gloom. In fact, it was difficult to distinguish if it was morning at all, for day and night look the same here.            The Gloom city council is scheduled to meet later today to discuss the urgent issues at hand. Mayor Grumble heads up the committee of eight. I am the mayor’s assistant, Phineas Foghat.          &n...

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“Albert” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #137

           Albert Finley was born with what the medical professionals referred to as, “Macrocephaly,” or an overly large head. Doctors warned Albert’s parents that this condition most often led to complications later in life, so they should prepare themselves.            His parents chose the name, Albert, after the world-renowned physicist, Albert Einstein, a role model for Albert’s father who was a physicist himself. Little did the...

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“Kindergarten Crisis” by Greg Gillis

           “You’ll never know unless you try.” Those words kept reverberating inside her head as she laid slumped upon the desk.            Darlene Compton was an accomplished teacher with nearly twenty years of teaching behind her, but when she was asked to take over the school’s kindergarten class, she had no idea what she was walking into.            Darlene spent most of her ...

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“The Family Business” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #135

           Young Chester grew up unlike most other boys. His family was…let’s say, unique.            At the age of four, Chester’s father, Frank Nefarious, called Chester into his den. Frank stood near the fireplace staring up at a wall filled with portraits of all the Nefarious men who had come before him.            “Chester, my boy, it is time for you to start learning abou...

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“Lunar Apocalypse” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #134

           Astronomical enthusiast, Walter Higgins, stood with his son, Jason, on the back deck of their Southern California home one evening peering through his Celestron Power Seeker Telescope. The sound of the waves crashing against the pier had a calming affect on Walter. During the day, the beach was crowded with thousands of people, but at night, it was peaceful. That was the time that he and his family sat outside taking in the cool air and stared at the billions of stars that lit...

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“Be Mine” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #133

           Betty gazed down upon the tattered heart-shaped chocolate box that she held in her hands. The faded words, “Be Mine” were written upon its face. She thought back to the first time she had ever read those words.            It was Friday, February 14, 1975. Betty and her friends were huddled around the cafeteria table talking about all the boys that they thought were cute at their high school, when from behind, Betty heard...

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“Having Faith” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #132

           “Are you there, God? It’s me, Bobby,” the boy of five years old said as he kneeled down beside his bed. “Mommy and daddy are yelling at each other again, and I really need you to ask them to stop. I know you can do it because my grandpa says you can do anything. I don’t like it when they yell. It makes me scared. I guess that’s all for now. Thanks for listening. Goodnight, God. Oh, I almost forgot, Amen.”            Bobby ...

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“Word of Mouth” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #131

           “WELCOME TO WHISPERS.” That is what the sign read as Larry drove into town. Coming from a big city, this quaint small town was just what he needed to escape from his high anxiety lifestyle.            The muffler on his 2002 Chevy Camaro SS rumbled as he coasted down Main Street with the top down on his cherry red convertible. The sunlight reflected off the high gloss paint job, catching the attention of onlookers.  &...

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“Fire and the Behemoth” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #130

           American Professor of Ancient History, Calvin Winchester spent several years abroad in Tibet studying with a group of Buddhist monks at the Yumbulagang Monastery. It was believed to be the first building to exist in Tibet, constructed for Nyatri Tsenpo, the first king of Tibet.           Professor Winchester believed the fables of an ancient realm far beneath the Earth’s crust truly existed, and this was where he believed ...

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“Piste of Passion” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #129

           The sun glistened off the powdered snow-covered mountainside as Darren and his friends exited their vehicle at the ski resort. Hundreds of people made their way from cars or from the chalet with one purpose in mind; to take on the snow-covered giant before them.            Darren and his best friend, Shane, decided to grab a hot cup of coffee before hitting the slopes. Jack, their other sidekick, headed straight for the li...

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“Tea Talk” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #128

Tea Talk ~ by Greg Gillis            Patty’s hand trembled as she poured the steaming Orange Pekoe tea into the two cups that laid upon the counter in front of her. She lifted the two cups by the saucers that they sat on and carried them toward the table in the dining room that sat adjacent to the kitchen. Drops of tea splashed over the edges and onto her fingers, but she dared not expose her pain. She just kept on walking.           &n...

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“Premonitions of War” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #127

           It was October 31st, 1942, and instead of enjoying Halloween festivities with his friends and family back home, Keith was on a boat heading overseas. World War II was in its third year, and the German army, lead by their leader, Adolf Hitler, had already taken control of much of the occupied territory in Europe.            Private Keith Jackson, held onto the side of the ship as it rocked back-and-forth across the Atlantic...

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“Unhappy New Year” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #126

           “Happy New Year!” Rick heard his neighbors shout out as he sat on his sofa in the darkened room.            In his mind, there was not a lot of reason to celebrate and be happy. This past year had been the most difficult of his life.            It began back in February when his mother was diagnosed with COVID. She and her husband, Rick’s disgruntled stepfather, Jack, ...

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“Time For Everything” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #125

           Brian rushed about town, constantly gazing down at his wrist to check the time on his watch. Always adamant about being on time for everything, he timed every move with precision.            “Five minutes to reach Plaza Tower,” he said aloud to himself. As he reached the pedestrian bridge leading to the building’s entrance, Brian saw that it was extremely crowded. There was no time to go around, so he did his best to push ...

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