Merkin

Wow!

I've been away, but the flash section is always one of the first I head for, and it is always rewarding. This piece indeed holds to that standard, and I find it deliciously wry, almost a send-up of the passionate affair where hormones talk louder than words and when the hormones go off the boil it is discovered that the words are the wrong ones. The ending is wonderful, a fifteen minute reprieve from the inevitable. James

Russia - Bring it all in, so we can see how to imitate it to excess and exploit even more children.

Hearty hetero sex play can sometimes turn violent... James

Ah, but if it is someone sharing a toothbrush with someone else, it would be worth noting. James

Graeme asks a good question, James. If you set the whole of this exchange in French, how will it play for readers who cannot cope? Merkin

Your poem is moving and chillingly apt, Des. I clicked the link and read the article. This proposal to give the U.S. chief executive a "kill switch" allowing him to disable the (world-wide) internet in response to a perceived case of 'cyber 9/11' demonstrates, among other wrongheadedness, the sad paranoia rife among our legislators and the bellicose thinking available to knee-jerk proponents of an imperial Fortress America. One is led to imagine two figures walking a few steps behind the U.S. president: the U.S. Air Force colonel who carries padlocked to his wrist the attache case containing the nuclear keyset, and another, somewhat less imposing personage slouching along in tattered corderoy trousers and wearing a pizza-stained Mickey Mouse hoodie. It is the official Nerd, bearing a backpack stuffed with the Deathstar Killswitch Modem. James

I cannot see how any new limited "compromise" agreement as proposed by the current IWC chair to allow Japan, Norway, and Iceland to continue their unregulated commercial whaling industry would serve any conservation effort whatsoever. Except for the already allowed whale taking for subsistence purposes by indigenous peoples, whaling of any sort is an abominable practice. I should think that the people of Iceland and Norway and Japan would share our horror at this practice. James

Hi, Pipo. All good questions. What I tried to get across in the short story version of these flash episodes was that Jesse's dad is deceased, a Marine deployed abroad who never came back, and that Jesse's uncles have stepped up to give him male support within his family situation during this key year for Jesse. As to Keith, he only had a walk-on part in this story. Keith served the purpose of being Brian's first crush but, since he was a senior and a jock, perhaps never even noticed Brian who was a sophomore at the time. James

Thank you for these kind comments. I'm afraid I've lied to all of you when I said this was to be the last glimpse of Jesse. James

Proving once again that life can change with just a few words. Or without. Excellent flash, Kapitano. James

A lot of understudies have become stars. Best wishes, James

Bookworm Jesse 6 by Merkin "Hi Katherine, it's Fred. Just checking in to see how you and Jesse are doing." "Why hello, Fred! How nice to hear my brother's voice! I was just thinking about when we used to swing out back from that big tree by the arbor. D'you remember? There's still a rope swing hanging there, but I doubt Jesse's been on it much. Too juvenile, I'm sure he'd say. I've been out there pulling weeds all morning from Howard's old garden. I wish Jesse was here to lend a hand but you know how he disappears when he senses yard work. I'm sure he'll be sorry to have missed a chance to talk to you, you certainly have won him over with your so-called driving lesson and I'll never hear the end of it now will I, you really shouldn't encourage him like that and you know full well I'm the one that's going to bear the brunt of his impossible notions to be able to drive before the law says he may. Not that he needs to drive anywhere, about the only place he seems to want to go now that school's out is the bookstore--you remember Cleary's Booknook? Jesse's quite the bookworm, spends all his time down there, of course it's an easy bike ride. "Plus his new friend Brian has a summer job in the coffee shop part, he's old Mr. Cleary's grandson and it's so good to know that one of Jesse's friends comes from such a nice family. Of course the Baxter's are nice, too, and he's been best friends with Artie Baxter practically forever although that might be tapering off some since Artie's gone off on his own to some kind of coed camp this summer. Can you imagine? Boys and girls in the same camp! Jesse didn't seem very interested in going. I know Artie was disappointed but Jesse said 'yuk' when Artie asked him. I suppose you might have said the same thing at his age. I don't think camps were held for boys and girls together when we were young and I'm sure we would never have been sent to one, I declare! "Jesse would love to have a summer job like Brian Cleary's but of course he isn't old enough, although Lord knows Brian is just a teeny bit underage to be working, he won't be sixteen until next month even though he's just finished tenth grade since he started school when he was five. It's a family business so I suppose that's all right. Jesse is really jealous, though, and says he can't wait 'to earn the big bucks.' I say his allowance should still be enough for his needs at his age and anyway Brian seems to pay for everything when they're together. "My goodness, look at the time! How I go on. Remember we're counting on you and Dave for Sunday dinner. Jesse loves his chance at man talk when you come down, and I'm sure you know I'm grateful. But no more driving lessons, if you please. Enough is enough. Oh, and Brian will be coming over this week for Sunday dinner, too. They're thick as thieves, those two. Bye Fred, and give our love to Dave." ______ I think this will be the last installment of Jesse's story. My aim here has been to portray some of the trials and tribulations of modern-day boyhood, and now it seems Jesse is ready to move on into a much more complex narrative. My other reason for stopping is that I believe flash fiction, to be effective, should be able to be read as a stand-alone experience, and it should largely "make sense" within each single presentation. I fear that Jesse's saga has thwarted that objective by increasingly requiring the reader to have foreknowledge of story context and of each element's antecedents. I hope you have enjoyed my experiment in stringing together flash glimpses to achieve a continuous tale. I hasten to credit Steven Keiths for showing the way, with his inspired five-part flash series (Work Ethic... A Dream Come True) about a pushcart entrepreneur. James Merkin

My word. That's quite a leap from 'gaydar.' Compare it to 'brutedar.' Most of the bully boys who hang out down at the corner can tell in a heartbeat what colors or insignia you are bearing or whether or not the "lady" who just cruised by is wearing underwear, or which is the plainclothes cop in the crowd. To each his own nuance.

Rosa Winkel It wasn't only Jews, you know, all lined up, heads shaved, wearing colored patches, homeless, starving, beaten, violated; waiting to enter that chamber. -James Merkin

The Tree is a wonderful and inspiring project. Some very good friends got burned out (but survived) when half their community went up, in the mountains east of San Diego, California a few years back. The violence of a firestorm is overwhelming, and the massive force of a flood is implacable. Every year it seems we watch horrified while such disasters overcome the lands we think we have claimed and calmed. Yet we deny that we have contributed to these outcomes through our interference with the natural order. Isn't it time to think seriously how to remedy the relationship we have imposed on Mother Nature? James

At my age, Goal #1: Breathe in. Goal #2: Breathe out. All else follows. James

I hope never to be mistaken for a zombie by a creature as pissed-off as that cat. Perhaps I should bathe more frequently in spite of our water shortage.

Yikes. I spent many middle-of-the-night hours during my adolescence awakening in a sweat from a recurring nightmare of appearing naked in some classroom. The impact of the sort of experience as Cole details here just staggers my mind. James

(This flash builds upon events in the previous episode, Birthday Boy) Barista Jesse 5, by Merkin Brian was foaming the top of a cappuccino with his special signature swirl when he heard someone clearing his throat. He glanced over and saw a man standing in front of the counter. ?I?ll be right with you,? he said cheerfully, ?just give me a minute to finish this.? He quickly topped off the cap and passed the cup to Janice, who was waiting to serve it to the only other customer in the coffee shop area of the bookstore. Brian turned and smiled. ?How can I help you?? ?Brian?? The tall, slender man smiled back. ?Have you got a few minutes to talk? I?m Jesse?s uncle Fred. He said I could find you here.? ?Jesse Schofield?" ?Yes.? ?Is he O.K.?? ?Oh yes, he?s fine. I just wanted to talk to you about him.? Brian wrinkled his forehead. ?Let me tell the boss I?m going on break. Find a seat and I?ll be right over.? He leaned through the doorway into the back room, spoke a few words, then pulled off his apron. ?I?ve got about ten minutes," Brian said as he slid into a chair opposite Jesse?s uncle. ?Whaddaya mean, you want to talk to me about Jesse?? ?I?d like to know about your friendship with him.? ?We just sorta know each other, from school.? ?I?m talking about the birthday card.? ?You are?? ?He told me what you said about why you sent it, but I wondered if there might be a little more to it than that.? Brian fidgeted and looked away, thinking hard. Fred waited. ?I?m not gonna be able to explain this very well. Did Jesse tell you about the valentine?? Brian blushed. ?Yes, he did." Fred smiled encouragingly. ?Let me introduce you to someone.? He waved to a man who had just entered. ?This is my partner, Dave.? Brian?s eyes widened. He looked back and forth as Dave approached their table rattling the car keys. ?You?re...? ?We?re gay. Does that help?? Brian swallowed hard. ?Were you out...? He stopped. ?In high school?? Fred asked. Brian nodded. ?No way. That was the dark ages, by your standards. Do you think I wanted to get my ass kicked all over the campus?? Brian snorted, then took a deep breath. ?O.K., so I?m gay,? he said softly. ?Maybe being gay is easier today, but it still matters. So I don?t go around announcing it.? Dave gave Brian?s shoulder a little squeeze, then sat down beside him. Brian continued. ?But Jesse knows. And he?s cool with it. He saved me from a lot of embarrassment when I tried to impress someone with that valentine. So we started talking and getting to know each other. Now we?re friends.? Fred nodded and looked expectant. ?That doesn't--" Sometimes when Brian got very intent his voice still squeaked. He cleared his throat and tried again. ?That doesn?t mean I?m after Jesse. I get that you?re protecting him. Can you also get that I know Jesse is still too young for me to be interested in that way? He?s a great guy and really smart, and he?s just finishing eighth grade.? Fred and Dave exchanged looks. ? ?Still too young? ?? Fred said. ?I really like that we?re friends, but he?s still a kid. I mainly want to make sure he doesn?t have a rough time.? ?With...?? ?With heading into high school and figuring things out.? Brian said flatly. ?He doesn?t know what he wants yet but I can see he?s working on it. He?s maybe interested in boys. I don?t know for sure, and I certainly haven?t pushed that on him. But we talk about things.? ?So you are like a mentor?? Fred sounded a little incredulous. ?His gay guide?? ?What?s wrong with that?? Brian asked. ?What if one of you decides to want more?? Brian looked steadily at Fred. ?I won?t take advantage of Jesse. That?s not who I am.? ?And if Jesse...?? Fred persisted. Brian nodded slowly. He obviously had already given this some thought. ?Jesse may be young now, but everything changes. Next year we?ll both be in the upper school.? Brian paused, gathering his thoughts. ?I?m happy to be his friend. Sometimes friendship can lead to something more. Sometimes not. We both have a lot to figure out. Isn?t that how the relationship thing is supposed to work?? Dave looked at Fred and raised his eyebrows. ?It might be enough,? he said. Fred stared intently at Brian, then gave a little nod and said, ?Could there actually be two kids who have their act together?" He reached for a napkin. ?Here, let me give you our phone number. Don?t hesitate to call if it begins to get complicated.? Brian looked back and forth between Fred and Dave. ?I?d appreciate that. But only if we include Jesse in any other conversations concerning his future.? Dave smiled. ?I like this boy,? he said. _____

An enormously affecting poem, concise yet filled with a complex tale to tell. Nothing anemic about these charged words. I especially liked these lines: Few things concentrate the mind like weaknesses of the body Thanks for this, TR James

Wow. Thanks guys. James

(This piece builds off events that occurred in an earlier flash entitled ?Special Delivery?) Birthday Boy by Merkin ?Hi there, favorite nephew! Happy birthday.? ?Hey Uncle Fred! Thanks for calling!? Jesse grinned widely. ?How?s Uncle Dave? How do you two like your new house?? ?Whoa, there, kiddo. This call isn?t about us, it?s about you. Are you enjoying your promotion to a fourteen year-old?? ?They still won?t let me drive.? ?Give it up, Jesse. I know your mom, and you should be glad she lets you ride without a kiddie seat.? ?Har har. Very funny. But not being old enough to drive yet sucks big time.? ?Tell you what. The next time we come down I?ll give you a driving lesson.? ?Ohmigod, Uncle Fred! Do you mean it?? ?That?s what uncles are for -- to spoil nephews rotten.? ?Wait?ll I tell Artie, he?ll crap his pants! Now I know why you?re my favorite uncle.? ?I didn?t realize I had any competition.? ?You didn?t until you hooked up with Uncle Dave. He?s definitely got you beat for cute.? ?I didn?t know you noticed stuff like that, kiddo.? Jesse fell silent. His uncle, sensing an awkward moment, cleared his throat. ?Did I hit a nerve, Jesse?? ?Well...? ?Uncles are also good to tell things to, Jesse.? ?It?s not any big deal, Uncle Fred. It?s just that, unh, I got this birthday card.? Jesse stopped. His uncle waited. ?It?s from a guy.? ?Is that a problem?? ?Well, I don?t know what to think.? Is it from someone you know? Artie?? ?Artie doesn?t count. I mean sure, he sent me a birthday card. But jeez, he sent me a card for Groundhog Day, believe it or not. He?s my best bud. No, it?s from someone else, a guy I ran into once -- really ran into -- in the mall when he was buying a Valentine for some other guy, then that other guy dropped it, and I found it and gave it to him, the other guy that is, and he -- Brian that is -- thanked me for not messing him up, and...? ?Whoa, nephew. You lost me back there a ways. Some guy you ran into? Is he a grownup?? ?Oh, no. Brian goes to my school. He?s a sophomore. But he talks to me. I mean, he said thanks for not outing him when I delivered his Valentine to Keith...? ?Whoa again. Brian has a crush on someone named Keith?? ?Oh, that didn?t work out, I guess. Keith is like this big sports star, so I guess Brian kinda wiped out there.? ?So you know Brian?? ?Well, we?re both on the school newspaper, and he?s started talking to me there. That?s about the only place an upperclassman is going to have much to do with someone in eighth grade.? ?Jesse, let?s get back to the main point here. Why did he send a card to you?? ?Well, he said it was to thank me for not messing him up over the Valentine card.? ?Seems pretty straightforward. What?s the problem?? Jesse was quiet for a long moment. ?I kinda liked getting it.? ?Ah, I see. Do you want me to drive down there so we can talk?? ?I dunno, Uncle Fred. I don?t know what to think. I?d kinda like things to stay the same as they?ve always been.? Fred?s voice was gentle. ?It?s called ?growing up,? Jesse.? ?Yeah, I get that Uncle Fred. It?s just that...? The pause stretched out. His uncle tried again. ?It?s nice to be told that you?re special?? ?Yeah, that?s sorta it. I like that he talks to me without treating me like a little kid.? ?But?? ?Right. But I am a little kid. At least as far as he?s concerned. I mean, the only place I ever see him is in our newsroom.? ?I think that?s what?s really bothering you. You and Brian move in different worlds right now. I remember high school -- and even though you?re in the same school, you?re not even in the upper school yet, are you?? ?You?re right, Uncle Fred. I mean, I like to talk to him, because it makes me feel older. But I?m not really older. And I don?t want to pretend to be something I?m not.? ?You?re a wise boy, Jesse. It seems to me you?re figuring it out all on your own. I think we will come down next weekend, and we can talk. What would you like Dave and me to bring you for your birthday?? ?You just gave me the best present, by listening.? ?That?s all you want?? ?Oh, I?ll take driving your car, too.? ______

I am terribly sorry, Camy. There is nothing sufficiently tasteful, I am afraid. James

I wept. Thank you, Cole. James