Jose Duron

“Back Seat Box” by Jose Duron

Pulling to the Goodwill Donation Center triggers a hurricane of mixed emotions. It brings memories that I forgot were there. It makes me feel like a part of me comes back to life while another one dims. I look over my shoulder and see the box of clothes with her name sloppily written on it. Where does the time go? She was barely four when she first wrote her name on it, now she's far away, living the life she always envisioned. I wonder if I did right, or if I did wrong. I mean, what else can a mother think when their child wants to leave t...

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“Aelius” by Jose Duron

The blizzard took everyone by surprise. My brother and I were naive to think we could beat it. We've been stuck in a cave for two days, a few miles from our tribe. We should've never left her alone. I turn to Takka--my six-year-old younger brother. His body is starting to show signs of exhaustion. His head bobs and his eyelids come half-mast as he stares at the dying flames of the fire. Our body-heater's battery died the first night out int the blizzard. Once those flames go out, we will be left to the mercy of our body temperature to keep ...

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“Pinocchio Project ” by Jose Duron

Submitted to Contest #82

"Where to now, Rio?" it asks as I take a deep sigh and stretch my arms. "Nowhere for now, Oka." I say standing at the edge of the canyon with my arms around my hips. I fill my lungs and chest with fresh air. The crisp smell of pine needles makes me smile. My beautiful husky--Elementia--jumps out of Oka, stretches. and comes to join me on the beautiful sight. There's no snow, but it's cold enough for her to feel in her element. The horizon line is a perfect one hundred and eighty degrees of smooth un-interrupted paradise. I take it in one ...

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“Fireplace Frame” by Jose Duron

Submitted to Contest #81

Candles, check. Red Malbec wine, check. Red carnations, check. Alfredo pasta with chicken, check. Lavender fragrance... two hisses of aerosols later, check. Engagement ring, check. This past Valentine's was a blow in the gut. It's February 21st, a week later after Valentine's Day. 'Why?' you ask, because of a severe winter storm that the midwest had never seen before. Sure the northern states were ready for it. They had the trucks, the sanded salt, ice prevention magical stuff, and other strategies that would've been nice to have in Texas....

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“Sol in the Storm” by Jose Duron

Submitted to Contest #81

"It's now or never," I tell myself as I pace up and down my living room. My eyes are fixed on my allied and enemy, my phone. The instrument of salvation and damnation. The portal to instant gratification and vanity. The possible demise of humanity or instant salvation of the world. All that in one little box, a little portal to everything I could ever want. And at this moment, in the middle of this historical snowstorm, I find myself wanting only one thing. Her. It's been seven years since we graduated High School. Seven years since we sai...

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“Memoir of Justice ” by Jose Duron

Submitted to Contest #80

Entry: 2/6/2021"Stay close to me." My dad said as we weaved through the crowd. Left and right and everywhere we looked there were people waving flags with the emblem of an eagle. Some others shouted about lettuce, grapes, and other names that are foggy in my memory. Some others even carried cardboard spray-painted with messages that read the future is ours. There were times in which we would stop to listen to a speaker get on stage and rally the crowd. Some other times were long walks under the sizzling sun of Arizona.I was ten at the moment...

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“Starship 9” by Jose Duron

Submitted to Contest #80

"We interrupt this program to deliver breaking news." The TV announced. My mom, who was humming while cleaning the kitchen, had her eyes glued on the screen. She was breathless at the images broadcasted. My dad, who was watching his game, went from frustration to..."Are you seeing this?" he turned to me. I looked at him with my mouth agape. I could see it in his eyes. Out of all the things that could've happened on a regular day, this was the last thing he expected. The news reporter continued sharing the event. I called my sister. She picke...

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“Chemo Grandpa” by Jose Duron

Submitted to Contest #79

"This is our last cycle." He says with his sad, baggy eyes. They aren't sad because he's a sad person, but simply because that's how his eyes look at first glance. He's got that smug that can only come with the years of experience a fifty-year-old ex-soccer player can display. "That's right old-geezer," I reply. "This is our last cycle. What are you going to do after this? Live another hundred years?" I joke. He laughs. He tilts his head back and looks at the ceiling after having a good stomach laugh. I look at him from head to toe. This o...

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“Hawaiian, Bermudas, and Sandals.” by Jose Duron

Submitted to Contest #79

I tap my foot against the polished floor of the airport. The reflection of people passing by, the sound of wheels kissing the ceramic, the chatter of strangers, and the smell of coffee all harmonize in systemic chaos only enjoyable in a place such as an airport. I look at my watch and then back at the screen that says the flight has been delayed because of bad weather. I jerk my neck left and right and crack every vertebrate in it. I feel the gaze of someone sitting next to me. I turn and see a little girl emulating what I had just done. I...

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“Duck Whispering” by Jose Duron

Submitted to Contest #78

"Hi, would you like to sign up for duck whispering?" The lady starts. My friend and I look at each other. "Duck whispering?" I repeat back. "Don't do this, Carlo." My friend and associate hisses in my ear, "We need to make it to the--" "Relax, Rogie," I interrupt. "We got time. Besides, who isn't interested in duck whispering?" I say sarcastically. "Tell me more." I smile to the cute brunette. "Yes," The lady starts enthusiastically. "It's pretty simple and I only will take two minutes of your time." She ushers us into her world. I fo...

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“Clenching Fists” by Jose Duron

Submitted to Contest #78

"What do you think?" He hands me the painting he had been working on for weeks. I look at it. I tilt my head as I rub my chin. I hmm, lower the frame and look him in the eye. That damn twinkle of his, so childish. I. Am. Impressed. "The lady," I start and halt myself immediately. I could say the same thing I always say. 'It's a great piece man.' 'wow, you're so talented.' 'you did this? you're selling it right?' 'wow, no words.' I ponder for a second. Yes, I could say those things, but then I would make myself fall in a bed of thorny disa...

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“Wagging Tails” by Jose Duron

Submitted to Contest #77

You might think that a cabin on top of the Alpes would have everything a person needs to have an easy-going life. But what if I tell you that despite the luxuries--redwood, marble, and a collection of first edition hardcover books--it's a dull place for someone who grew up with technology all around him. And yes, I'm talking about me. I sigh. Even if we had internet, with no electronics, it's obsolete to even think about it. I stare outside the fogged-up window. My dad and the devils for my twin sister, Vickie, and Glory, are making a sno...

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