Secrets Never to be Told

This is my contribution to Jenny Matlock's Saturday Centus. You can learn all about it by clicking on her button on my sidebar.

Silently, she slipped into the attic, praying not to wake the others. The house was full of relatives come to bury Grandma. But none but she knew of the chest tucked away in the corner of the attic.

She lifted the stack of letters from the ancient chest and began to read by the beam of her flashlight. The paper was almost translucent, but she could read enough to know that the secrets they held should never be revealed.

Silently, she made her way back down the stairs, sneaked out the kitchen door and out to the trash bin, where she threw in the letters and tossed a match after them.


© cj Schlottman

Dreams Washed Away

Jenny really stuck it to us this week by requiring us to limit our posts to 25 words. No, that is not a joke. It's all part of Saturday Centus, her creative and educational meme. If you aren't familiar with this meme, click on Saturday Centus above and learn the rules and regs. And be sure to visit Jenny at her blog, "...off on my tangent" by clicking on her name at the beginning of this paragraph.

Here's my attempt at this abbreviated post.



The lottery ticket
hid in the left pocket
of his shirt where it would
travel to the machine
and be washed to a pulp.
It was a winner.

Non Resolutions

"Her crumpled up list of resolutions..."


Well, here it is Monday, and I’m just getting to Saturday Centus. I do so hate to get behind, but it seems to happen more than it should. Most of you know the drill, but in case you don’t, click on Saturday Centus above to learn all about it. Here’s my small story for this week.




cj hates resolutions, sees them as planned disappointments and subsequent blows to one’s self esteem.

More home cooking.

No chocolate.

No alcohol.

No unnecessary spending.

More trips to the gym.

Her crumpled up list of resolutions goes flying into the nearest trash bin.


© cj Schlottman

Magic Bath

Here’s my contribution to Jenny Matlock’s meme, Saturday Centus. Not familiar with this themed writing exercise? Click on the Saturday Centus link above and find out all about it. And don’t forget to check out Jenny’s ...off on my tangent... She’s a wonderful writer. Please take time to read all the entries. You will find some very clever little stories.

This week's prompt is “The white-bearded fat man rolled through the church doors...”

Here is my little story:


The white-bearded fat man rolled through the church doors and tumbled like a red snowman all the way down to the feet of Baby Jesus. The preacher helped Santa to his feet and got a whif of what must have been rum.

“Welcome, Santa. What brings you to church on Christmas Eve when you have rounds to complete?”

The Schlottmans had egg nog instead of milk, and I’m afraid I overserved myself. Do you have any coffee?”

“We have Holy Water. Let me sprinkle your forehead and you’ll be good as new.”

“How’d it go?” asked the elves.

“I wanted coffee, but he gave me a bath. Let’s go.”


© cj Schlottman 12/25/10

Elves Rule @ Small Stores and Stuff

Here’s my contribution to Jenny Matlock’s meme, Saturday Centus. Not familiar with this themed writing exercise? Click on the Saturday Centus link above and find out all about it. And don’t forget to check out Jenny’s ...off on my tangent... She’s a wonderful writer. Please take time to read all the entries. You will find some very clever little stories.

This week's prompt is
“Dad has ruined everything. What was he thinking? OMG! Elves are soooo 2009..."


Elves Rule

The rehearsal party was in full swing, and the air was festive with Christmas music from the grand piano in the library. Trays of drinks and hors d'oeuvre were being passed by butlers dressed as elves.

The future bride came in with her fiancé and stomped over to her mother.

“Dad has ruined everything. What was he thinking? OMG! Elves are soooo 2009..."

At that, she looked up and spied Santa Claus at the piano. He winked at her and she rushed over.

“My dear,” he said. “Elves are forever, and so am I.

Then he disappeared into thin air.


© cj Schlottman

Happy Birthday @ Small Stories and Stuff

Here’s my contribution to Jenny Matlock’s meme, Saturday Centus. Not familiar with this themed writing exercise? Clint on the Saturday Centus link above and find out all about it. And don’t forget to check out Jenny’s ...off on my tangent... She’s a wonderful writer. Please take time to read all the entries. You will find some very clever little stories.




I snooped in the back of his closet, having struck out in all of his usual hiding places. My birthday present had to be here somewhere. An involuntary gasp of shock escaped my lips when I opened the shoe box and saw the pointy-toed shoes...black strappy Jimmy Choos with 4 inch heels.

I envisioned us dancing at the Wellington’s Christmas party and began to configure the proper outfit in my mind. A little black dress and my ruby and diamond earrings and pendant. Perfect.

Unable to stop myself, I pulled the shoes out and tried them on. Two sizes too small! That cheating #@&*%$^!!!

Wait ‘til his birthday comes along................

My Christmas Elf @ Small Stories and Stuff - The Truth

Before I publish my second Saturday Centus of the week, a word of explanation is in order. My son, Parrish, is 41 and suffers from schizoaffective disorder. The simplest way to explain it is to say it is an unfortunate combination of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. You will find the first post here.






CHRISTMAS ELF - THE TRUTH

She wanted a happy ending so fantasized one. The last paragraph was a lie. The lights were so overwhelming that he sat and cried. They went back to the attic.

The weekend was a series of intermittent confusion and hallucinations and perseverations about every conceivable subject. He wept often, woke her in the night for coffee and company. At Wal-Mart, he spoke only Spanish. He sat in the kitchen while she made chocolate mousse and jambalaya.

Today he was eager to go “Home.” His safe place is no longer with her.

Her heart is shattered.