"Blackjack" a short story by Craig Zimmerman

"Gimme a card," Gary said. Annie handed him a three of clubs which gave him seventeen. "What are you going to do after graduation?" she asked giving herself a seven of hearts for a total of eleven.

"I got a job at a warehouse" Brian answered. Annie nodded. "And you?" he asked. Annie looked embarrassed. "I was accepted into Yale."

Brian briefly touched her hand. "That's great Annie. I knew you could do it." "I'm going to miss seeing you at school every day," she said shyly.

"I'm going to miss you too," Brian said sincerely. They had known each other since elementary school and had always played Blackjack during lunch. Annie's father had taught her the game some years before after a trip to Las Vegas and it quickly became their favorite 

activity while they ate.

"Maybe we could still play on Facebook or something like that," Annie suggested. Brian tried to think of an answer that wouldn't hurt Annie's feelings, but all he knew was that everything was changing and Blackjack during lunch would soon be a thing of the past.

"Deal me another card" Brian said. "You're supposed to say "hit me" Annie teased. "Ok- hit me." she gave him nine of clubs and herself a queen of diamonds.  "You win" he said gathering up the deck. 

After a quick goodbye hug with Annie, Brian walked away from the table tossing his cards away one by one.

"The Bus Driver" a short story by Craig Zimmerman

Riley  quickly glanced around him to make sure it was safe and than  launched the rotten tomato at the school bus driver.

The tomato impacted the back of the driver and splattered in all directions. Angrily, the driver pulled into a nearly empty parking lot and then stood and faced his passengers.

"I'm not going to ask who did it" the driver began "because I already know and that person will be appropriately punished." he then returned to his seat and directed the bus back into traffic.

Riley didn't believe that  he had been seen when he threw the tomato and yet he wondered about the driver's ominous statement. What did "appropriately punished" mean anyway?

Because Riley lived way out in the country he was usually the last stop. As the bus approached Riley's house he felt the vehicle begin to accelerate instead of slowing down.

Riley yelled at the driver but the bus continued to go faster and faster. Corn and wheat fields passed by in a blur and in no time at all, they were leaving farm country and heading through suburbs and cities.

After what seemed like several hours, the bus approached a large body of water. In terror, Riley felt the bus plunge into the water but instead of sinking it glided on the surface. Eventually the water gave way to land once again and Riley watched as the bus raced down narrow roads and six-lane freeways.

In despair, Riley began to cry and eventually drifted off to sleep. Sometime later he was awakened by a loud noise-the bus had finally stopped and he was home. As he was leaving the bus, Riley glanced at the grinning driver. "You be sure and have a  nice day" the man said as he opened the exit door.