John Steckley

“It worked like magic” by John Steckley

It Worked Like Magic As Jeff was the only member of his family who lived in the same town as his grandparents, a sorrowful task was left to him and to his wife Belinda to perform. His grandparents had died just a week before in a car crash – not their fault, crazy driver became impatient with their going the speed limit, failed in trying to pass them.   Jeff had been the one to arrange the funeral, and now he had to do this second thing. It would be a sad task indeed, as he had always been very close to his grandparents, his moth...

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“I know what you're thinking.” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #207

I Know What You’re Thinking “George, while you were in the bathroom, we received a call from the university for you.” “I hope that they don’t want to take my degree away after having a second look at the papers I wrote way back when.” “Very funny George. This is serious. Apparently there is a group of scientists at the university who have made what they called a great discovery. So far no outsiders know about this discovery, and they want you to interview them and observe the effectiveness of what they have invented.” “Wow.&nb...

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“Brave for Another” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #206

Brave For Another I’m a professional rodeo rider. It was a career path that I knew would be mine from when I was a child. I grew up on a farm with bulls and horses, and I went to rodeos early on in my life. One of my uncles was a rodeo rider, and I can say that he was early on a hero of mine. I wanted to be just like him. When anyone asked me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, I always said ‘rodeo rider’. There was never any doubt in my mind that that was what I wanted to do with my life. I fell in love w...

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“Ritual Rules” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #205

Ritual Rules I guess you could say that I am ruled by rituals. I do not change how I regularly do things, even regarding some of the smallest aspects of my life. I get up at exactly six o’clock every morning, even if I awaken a little earlier and I feel like I have to go for a pee. I mean when I really have to go pee, and I force myself to crouch in the bed until I see that the minute hand is on the twelve and the hour hand is on the six (in that order). I always put my left sock on first, my right one second. I hav...

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“Going to be First” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #204

Going to be the FirstThe SituationI have long wanted to be the first one to do something memorable. And now I am just about to do what no one on my planet has ever done before. But I’m not so sure that this is something that I want to do, certainly not alone as I am now. I had known about the exciting possibility of this great event and worked towards its likelihood for years, from boy to man, from school to experience. But now I do not feel completely comfortable or ready for it, especially in the present circumstances.&nbsp...

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“One Job and Two Good Friends” by John Steckley

One Job and Two Good Friends. Frank walked into the staff cafeteria, looking for one of his friends to have his bagged lunch with. He did not like to eat alone. He soon saw his good buddy Tom, but he could read his face and saw that the man looked quite unhappy. So he walked over to where Tom was sitting alone and said, “ Why so glum, chum? He had another word that rhymed with the other two, but he knew well that that would not be appreciated at this moment in time.          &...

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“A Message from More Than Just a Fan” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #201

A Message From More Than Just a Fan            Well, last night’s concert of the Wholly Tearers is now over, and it is the morning after.  It is time for me to clean up the mess left by the roaring fans. And because it was a loud rock band, and alcohol was sold by the plastic cup, I have to do a lot of cleaning. The big broom and I will be doing a lot of dancing together this morning. I shouldn’t really complain, though. I got to hear and see a great concert pu...

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“Links of a Chain” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #200

Jeremy Forms a Link on a Gossip Chain            I was the last one on the chain of gossip. I knew that as I had been present for the first link, and, if the truth be known, I had carelessly foolishly fashioned the second link myself, the one that got the ball rolling, to mix my metaphors. I had to put it to a stop. Eventually I did.            It all began when I was in a long, slow line at the school cafeteria, and w...

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“The Past Becomes Present” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #199

The Past Becomes Present            I’d better hurry or I’ll be late for work. I pick up my pace to nearly running. It’s not like I can drive faster, as I’m taking the bus as my usually reliable old car is in the shop, having a long overdue repair job according to the mechanic.            Good, there’s someone in the bus shelter. That tells me that the bus has not been there recently. I’m surprised by what else I see.&nbsp...

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“A Meeting at the Principal's Office” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #198

A Meeting at the Principal’s Office The Tale of a Teenager of the 1960s            I’ve walked this ill-destined path before. “John, go to the principal’s office right now!” The teacher said that just as soon as I walked into his classroom. I knew what it was about. I have long hair and I had neglected to grease it down, so it didn’t look as long as it actually was. I also had the shaggy beginnings of my second beard. Both are more or less forbidden in my hi...

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“A School Trip and a Sighting” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #198

           The school trip to the local observatory did not begin well. It was the first such trip I, as a newly minted high school science teacher, had ever taken my students on. Now when I was a high school student (my classes hate it when I say stuff like that), school trips had students full of energy and sound. We talked and laughed, but at least we exhibited some enthusiasm on the bus ride to our eventual educational destination. This school trip had a vacuum of...

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“The Dream Weaver and Choice” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #197

The Dream Weaver and ChoiceBob           “I had the weirdest dream Millie. I saw myself at work, and I could see my unhappiness clearly on my face. It went much deeper than if I were merely having just a ‘bad day at work’. I could not deny what I was seeing – truth with a vengeance. Then everything went blank. When my dream vision returned I saw myself standing a step or two outside our front door like I was going to go to work, but I turned around and went back into our house...

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“My Alternate Self and His Advice” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #196

My Alternate Self and His Advice            This is the third time now that I have seen this fellow. He looks a lot like me, and he smiles at me when I look at him. I didn’t have the nerve to go up to talk to him before, but this time I feel that I must. I simply have to do it.            When I walk up to him, he says to me, “Say, you are certainly a handsome fellow.” My obvious reply is: “yourself as well.”  &...

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“Heh Wild Bill” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #195

Heh Wild Bill            In every generation since the advent of radio, the movies, and television, some children would get cursed by their parents in the form of being named after stars of the shows or the characters played by those stars. This was certainly true for me and my best pal. We were destined to become best friends as we grew up as next door neighbours, and we both received names provided by the 1960s hit show, “Wild Bill Hickok”. My pal’s name is ‘Bill’  ...

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“The Short End of the Stick” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #194

           Benny has just handed his lottery ticket to the cashier of the local grocery store, hoping that he will hear the magic word ‘gagnant’ signifying that he has won. Instead he hears the more usual and woeful ‘pas de cadeau,’ telling him that he has lost yet again..            I am standing behind him in line, and when he turns to face me, I know what I am going to hear. “No surprise. Again I have been handed th...

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