Christmas Grit - Nick St by Stephen D. Rodgers.

My old man liked to drink his eggnog out of a plastic cup shaped like Santa Claus's head, and no amount of nutmeg could hide the smell of bourbon.
 
My old man, he could stretch a quart of eggnog from Thanksgiving to New Year's, and that's what he did, year after year, and especially after she died from the lung cancer.
 
He hated the season.  He hated the music and the decorations and the holiday cheer, the idea that he might have something to celebrate.
 
Even though she was no longer there to make him, he still bought a tree.  He dragged it up two flights of stairs, yanked it into the living room, and flung it against a wall.  It lay where it fell, and there it stayed until the needles turned brown and brittle.
 
Just as my old man turned brown and brittle.  Smelling of bourbon.  Humming that fucking song.


Stephen D. Rogers is the author SHOT TO DEATH and more than 700 shorter works. His website, www.StephenDRogers.com, includes a list of new and upcoming titles as well as other timely information.

9 comments:

fiona1964 said...

Great story I loved reading it

Keep it up

David Barber said...

A fine piece, Stephen. So much said in so few words. Well done.

Merry Christmas!

Bill Baber said...

no wasted words-not a one...good stuff.

Madam Z said...

So well-written. So very sad.

Christopher Pimental said...

Love Stephen's flash stories. He gives us enough to fill in our own blanks and become part of the story.

AK Dawson said...

That really packs an emotional punch, Stephen. Great work.

Leon Steelgrave said...

Short but effective - hits the spot dead on.

Anonymous said...

The company is seeking employees for full and part-time bookseller positions. There are other positions available in management and in-store. The company has job openings year round, as well as seasonal opportunities. Make a mention of your educational qualifications in reverse chronological order. Mention the names of the institutions you attended and the year of passing. You may also mention any part-time professional courses you are pursuing. Mention membership of relevant professional associations. Jobs "get a reputation for human being a strong leader and for being foolhardy. But to me he was always so kind, such a good friend," he said.

Anonymous said...

So well-written. So very sad.