Neil Naft

“Sombody” by Neil Naft

Submitted to Contest #93

      Some things you can’t get out of your head. You dream about them even when you’re awake. Even after thirty years. Mine started with a phone call from my friend Tony. “Cory, there’s a party at Sal’s place. Casual. Pick me up at eight.” He hung up before I could refuse. Parties and crowds were not my scene, but he said ‘casual’, so I put a clean t-shirt on with my shorts and sandals and drove to his apartment. He came out in a navy blazer over a pale blue polyester disco shirt printed with pictures of pal...

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“Tears of Rage” by Neil Naft

Submitted to Contest #76

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Sam counted off the seconds in his head before he turned from the blank monitor to Vicki. She was staring straight ahead. He pulled the remote from her limp hand. “Hey,” he said. “Yeah,” she whispered breathily. “You all right?” “Yes.” “Are you sure?” “Yes, I’m sure. A little headachy, that’s all.” “Oh. Okay. Just watching you, I was a bit worried.” Sam waited, but got no reaction. “You want an aspirin or something?” “No.” “You sure?” “I said no!” Vicki wiped at the tears rolling down her fac...

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“An Inheritance” by Neil Naft

Submitted to Contest #72

In September 1935, Gunther and Rebekka Gross feared that the latest government proclamation would lead to other even more stringent laws which led them to decide to do the unthinkable. On December 5, 2020 Christopher James received a potentially life-changing letter that he laughed off. Ten days later he received a second one. Chris was sitting in the office lunchroom, a bemused look on his face under his mask. “I got another one,” Chris said, handing an envelope across the table to his friend, Richard. “And get this – this one arrived b...

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“Torn at the Shoulder” by Neil Naft

Submitted to Contest #70

He hesitated at the door to her room, took a breath and slid inside. Her eyes blinked open. Tired, drugged out. They jelled into focus. “You’re still wearing it,” she said. “Yes,” he answered, trying to smile. “For me?” “Of course.” “I never apologized.” He shrugged and she continued. “And you’ve never fixed the tear.” “No. It reminds me.” “I’ve never thought about it. Since….” The silence settled and her eyes closed. He studied her face. The slope of her forehead, her full lips, her cheek bones and her jawline. Her nose whe...

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“What You Know” by Neil Naft

When they heard the squeak of the door handle, everyone sitting around the table in the meeting room turned, their curiosity piqued. After all, everyone was there. No one was expected. Thus when he walked through the door, the surprise froze everyone. Mary was in the midst of speaking and her mouth remained open but issued no sound. Erik was about to pour a mugful of coffee. His hand continued to hold the carafe, suspended in midair at a dangerous angle. Edward stopped rifling the papers in front of him and Jessica stopped tying back her hai...

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“Good-bye” by Neil Naft

Submitted to Contest #44

“Good-bye,” he said, turning toward the door.“Good-bye? That’s it?”The tremor in her voice slowed his hand as he reached for the doorknob.“Three years and you can only muster one word?”He turned back to face her. Her eyes glistened with tears.“You knew this day would come.”“No, I didn’t ‘know’. What you said back then was…. But I didn’t….” Her voice was cracking, her breathing ragged as she tried to keep from sobbing. “A lot has happened since we met. Three years have happened.”He put his suitcase down and he said, “I warned you about this d...

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