"Summer of Woodstock" a short story by Craig Zimmerman

Haley was looking at old photos with her grandma Rachel when they came upon the picture of a young girl with a flower garland in her hair. Who's that grandma?" Hayley asked pointing at the photo. 

"That's me at Woodstock" her grandma answered. Hayley's eyes got big. "My history teacher talks about the Woodstock festival all the time." "Now I do feel old" her grandma joked.

 Haley was full of questions, but it was getting late and she had to call her mom in the morning. Haley drifted off to sleep almost immediately and then the honking of a car horn woke her up and instead of a bed she was laying in the grass on the side of a busy road.

Dozens of old-fashioned cars formed a line that seemed to stretch for miles. Haley had no idea what was going on, but a truck painted all sorts of strange colors stopped and motioned for her to get in. Haley hesitated and then accepted the ride.

"Are you going to the festival?" a young woman with a toddler on her lap asked. Haley nodded unsure of what was going on. The woman introduced herself as Felicia, her two kids were George and Wendy and her husband who was driving the truck was Larry.

Felicia made silver jewelry and was hoping to sell some at the music festival where everyone seemed to be going. The line of cars moved slowly, and they arrived in early evening. Haley was shocked at how many people were there. Before Felicia left to set up her booth, she gave Haley a small silver and turquoise ring.

Somewhere in the distance, Haley could see a stage and she walked towards it. A band called "The Who" was playing a song and at the end smashed their instruments. Haley watched a couple of other bands and then started to get tired. She moved through the crowd and for a few seconds she shared a glance with a girl who kind of looked like her and had a flower garland in her hair.

Haley found a place under a tree and gradually went to sleep. She was awakened by her grandmother telling her that breakfast was ready. The festival and all the people she met had been some kind of weird dream, but then she noticed the silver and turquoise ring that was still on her finger.

"The New Tenant" a short story by Craig Zimmerman

Lisa Abbot had to admit that she was a little bit afraid of her new tenant. James Clark was always polite and respectful, but there was something oddly menacing about him.

Before he moved in, Lisa had done a thorough background check on Clark and there wasn't even a hint of trouble. He worked as a remote consultant for a federal agency and spent the rest of his time hiking the Virginia hills that surrounded Lisa's property.

More than once, Lisa thought about asking Mr. Clark to find another place to live, but she really needed the money to pay the mortgage on her ranch. It had been so much different when she was first married. Lisa had been deeply in love with her husband Frank and when they bought the ranch, she thought her happiness would never end.

The changes came gradually; Frank began drinking and became abusive. Lisa tried everything to help him, but the violence became worse and on one terrible night, Frank tried to kill her. The judge sentenced Frank to ten years in prison and Lisa dreaded the thought of him being free.

Over time, Lisa became used to James' somewhat eccentric lifestyle and looked forward to seeing him come back from his excursions into the forest. He smelled of Maple and Pine and there was something of the wilderness in him.

One night while Lisa was at the kitchen table paying bills, she heard a noise outside and assumed it was her dog Plato, but she was shocked to her core when her ex-husband Frank started banging on the door- demanding to be let in.

The door splintered as Lisa reached for her phone and Frank grabbed her by the throat. Lisa tried to fight back but Frank was enormously strong and cruel.

Under the onslaught of blows, Lisa felt herself getting weaker and then it suddenly stopped. From out of nowhere, James stood in front of Lisa-protecting her from Frank's rage. Her ex-husband drew a knife and lunged at James, but her roommate easily evaded the blade and in a blur of motion sent Frank tumbling to the floor.

After the police had taken Frank away, Lisa was curious about something. "How come you came back early from your hike?" she asked James. He looked toward the hills and answered: "I just had a feeling that you needed me."

 

"The Selection" a short story by Craig Zimmerman

Matt Pierce stood with his back against the wall of the gym and watched as the two captains appointed by Mr. Tachuk chose their teams. The best athletes were picked first and then the two team leaders grudgingly accepted the remaining screwballs.

Matt was usually chosen last or next to last. He was well aware that his athletic abilities were lacking but he resented being humiliated just because he wasn't good at sports. On this particular day, the two captains argued about who would be stuck with him.

Mr. Tachuk finally intervened and put him on Ed Carson's squad. The activity of the day was dodgeball, and Matt watched the rest of the class form on the gym floor to start the game. "Let's get moving Pierce" Mr. Tachuk said with a look of irritation, but Matt stayed where he was. 

The gym teacher walked up to Matt. "Is there something wrong? are you sick?" Matt shook his head. "I just don't want to play" Mr. Tachuk looked confused as if he had never heard such a thing before. "This is a physical education class Mr. Pierce and if you aren't sick then you are required to participate."

At one time, Matt would have been intimidated by the gym teacher's order, but something in him had moved and he no longer gave a shit. "I'm not playing" he said finally. Tachuk glared at Matt "We're going to have a little talk once class is over." he said in a low voice.

For the next hour, Matt watched the weaker kids get pummeled with the ball by the stronger kids and realized that was probably what the rest of his life was going to be like, but for today he wanted no part of it.