Flash Fiction #9: Accounting

I opened an email regarding job offers, where everyday the site would send me three a day. None of them tickled my fancy, until I stopped upon today’s: the local bank posted one for an accountant.

Well, my Bachelor’s degree sat there for ages, and I needed the money. But was it the right decision? My heart pounded at the very notion I’d become an accountant for once in my life.

I clicked on the offer, and waited for the webpage to load. It sure took its time.

Disappointment hit me. Instead of a resume application, the page read: “Sorry, but this offer is no longer available. Better luck next time ;)”

Better luck next time, my…

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Deck: Starman Tarot by Davide de Angeles

If you’re reminded of David Bowie, you’d be correct in thinking so. Davide de Angeles has created artworks for David Bowie, and this deck is inspired by those works. This has wild imagery (very witchy) and flamboyant colours, so it’s definitely not to everyone’s tastes. This one I’ve used the most out of all my decks.

Flash Fiction #8: Beige Jacket

I could walk on the moon. My favourite beige jacket returned from the dry cleaners, smelling of lavender. Today was the day I’d wear it with a light blue ensemble.

I made it into the managerial job posted online. To celebrate, I’d meet two friends for lunch at Fiori’s — fancy and upmarket, but on those nights where I dined there, I enjoyed the garlic bread and fettucine.

My friends rolled up with the top down, beeping the horn. I grabbed my handbag and jumped in, talking garbage and our high school years. We compared it to now, and how I moved on up just like them.

The waiter led us to our seat, and we mulled over the menu. As this was a new step in my life, I ordered something new – tortellini boscaiola. And of course, what was a celebration without wine? We ordered a bottle of merlot, and poured our own glasses.

I tipped the bottle gently, but the wine dripped back on the neck, and spilt onto my sleeve. We laughed, but… Back to the dry cleaners.

—

Deck: Shadowscapes Tarot by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law & Barbara Moore

This is my second ever tarot deck. It’s super pretty in subject matter and colour — very fantastical. Going by the card descriptions, however, I’d take this as a hard deck to learn. If you have this deck and want to save some trouble, probably don’t reverse this deck.

Flash Fiction #7: Tattoo

I walked into the tattoo parlour, nervous, but ready to face the discomfort, however intense it may’ve been. Maybe it was best I had an idea in mind before I stepped in.

But as I confirmed my appointment with the decorated lady at the desk, she asked if I had pictures, and handed me a book of designs. I sat down, and flicked through them. And to my surprise, I stopped upon a detailed pineapple, sliced in five segments. This was the one.

The lady called me through, and I met the artist — bald, also covered in tattoos, with heavy eyeliner… or was that another tattoo on his eyelids? I showed him my choice, and where to put it. I laid on the bed, and he began by drawing it on with pen. Well, I supposed he would have to plan before buzzing it in.

Then came the moment of truth as he prepared the ink into the needle. I felt the colour drain from my head and limbs. He approached with the tool, and turned it on. Here we went…

—

Deck: Tattoo Tarot by Megamunden

Not surprising, is it? This deck is gorgeous, and for being a Marseilles deck, I found it quite easy to pick up. There’s another Tattoo deck out there that’s also Marseille, so don’t confuse one with the other if you’re going to look out for either one. My favourite part is the shading itself — very satisfying!

Flash Fiction #6: Gladys

I thought I’d done the right thing. My supervisor, Gladys, had a grim face upon calling me to her office. I knew for sure this was about the fight I had with another manager, John, over placement on shelves.

I stood in front of her desk, and she sat down with a long-drawn sigh. “Here at Dolly’s, we don’t condone arguments and fighting. You know that, right?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I replied. From day one, I found Gladys intimidating with her low-set brow and pearlescent wine lipstick. She reminded me of Ita Buttrose.

“We made an inquiry into the shelving issue. You’ll be surprised what they found.” She set forth a piece of paper.

Oh no. Not a final notice? I ran my finger over the sentences. But my frown slowly changed into a grin as I neared the end of the letter. I looked back up to Gladys, also smiling.

“How would you like a position in dairy?” She asked.

“Would I ever!” This was my biggest dream in Dolly’s supermarket. The cold of the freezer and dairy sections were calling.

Deck: Vikings Tarot by Manfredi Toraldo and Sergio Tisselli

I just got this deck today! Mr S (formerly Mr H) has been waiting for me to get my own, because he’s picked himself this as his first deck. Upon first read, I found it difficult as well — I have the book of Norse Mythology, but I haven’t read enough of it to know the tales pictured. It’s a brutal deck, unless you know the stories off by heart.

Flash Fiction #5: Group Run

I signed up for a group run the other day. Never had I done one, and it was the first time I’d heard of it. But it sounded like fun to me.

Today was my first day, and naturally, I arrived half an hour early to the beach. At least I could watch as the other, more experienced members rolled up. People of all backgrounds, including an old woman who joined a tall young woman and laughed together. But they all wore exercise gear, and that’s how I could tell who was joining.

I stood up from my seat and wandered around the other members. A muscular man approached and asked if I was part of the group.

“There’s no pressure,” he assured. “You run at your own pace and keep going. All the beginners start with jogging, and we’re okay with that.”

While we introduced ourselves, a whistle blowed, and a woman with a healthy glow waved. This was Jane Lanby, our instructor “Let’s get stretching!”

Stretching was easy — my stomach sank the more I anticipated the run itself. But we got through it all, and soon enough, the run began. Our track was halfway across the beach, where we would stop at a fish and chips shop.

I jogged, and my new friend, Elliot, slowed down for me. We talked some more, and other beginners joined the conversation. One woman, Suzanne, told a winding story about a botched surgery, and for that, I admired her.

We made our stop, and I was hungry by the time. Jane came to us and assured us it was perfectly healthy to feel this hungry, and that was why we stopped here — omega 3 and carbohydrates galore.

—

Deck: Butterfly Guiding Light Oracle by Sue Nicholson

This deck is the first actual deck I connected with. When mum bought it, we were actually at a Sue Nicholson reading, and I was recovering from Schizoaffective disorder. But I trust Sue Nicholson to this day, and I would like to build up my trust with this deck again.

Flash Fiction #4: Trust

So, at my youth group, they had what was called a “180 Hour”, which symbolised how quickly a person’s life could change in that hour. We talked about God, and faith, and trust. We did that exercise where someone would have their arms out in front of them, and the person in front would fall into their arms.

I’d never done it before. In fact, the prospect scared me. What if my buddy didn’t catch me, or he dropped me on purpose? But a group leader encouraged me by putting me with a guy named Sam.

I saw Sam around, in a blue crew leader shirt, but I never talked to him – he always hung around the skate team, and I was in art.

He raised his arms and coaxed me by wiggling his fingers. Though he was a bit of a larrikin, he was a crew leader. That meant he was meant to put trust in the other leaders and God, but in us regulars.

I turned my back to him, spread my arms out, and closed my eyes. This was the scariest part: falling backwards. I leant farther back, and fell.

Before I knew it, arms caught me, and laid me to the ground gently. I laughed with joy, and it took me a while to get up from the floor. But once I stood up, Sam gave me a high five, and I wanted to do the exercise all over again.

Perhaps I would talk to Sam again, or Sam would talk to me after the hour was up. I couldn’t fully count on it, so I stuck to the people I knew.

—

Deck: Chakra Wisdom Oracle by Tori Hartman

Flash Fiction #3: The Canvas

I stared at the canvas, letting ideas take hold before I brought a brush of colour to it. A tree? A landscape? A cat toppling a glass of water? So many images filled my mind that, though my body said “Jump in and do!” my mind said “Pick one”.

I looked at the rectangular palette, with my half-empty tubes of acrylics resting behind it. What colours called out to me today? Of course, that didn’t matter for the subject — my power lied in surrealism.

I picked up Alizarin Crimson, Yellow Ochre, and Phthalo Blue. Logically, I could get away with an Autumn night, where, going by the leaves on the tree, the season just began. But my mind settled — perhaps I would draw that cat.

I grabbed the black and white for mixture, filled the palette with my selection, and returned to the empty canvas with the colours and a thick brush. I let my left arm decide shape and size as it blocked them in.

The glass turned into a clear vase on the far right side, distorting the hot and lively ochre wall behind it. A grey-blue paw snuck behind it, and on the bottom left, the cat snuck his head in from behind a stressed blue timber dresser, to aim and knock.

—

Deck used: The Truth-Seeker’s Tarot by David Fontana

From now on, I will give credit to the deck I use. The Truth-Seeker’s Tarot is geared more towards self-improvement and self-discovery, and it was unsure on its own place helping to make a story. Well, despite all that, it guided me to create something, and I think that counts.

Flash Fiction #2: Big John

John stared me down. His eyes, bloodshot, and the red seeped into his irises. His teeth grit. By the second, he grew taller, and so did the shadow behind him. Lastly, his skin turned red like a pepper, taking on its shine, too.

My stomach churned. But I cleared my throat. “John,” I began, “I never liked you in the first place.”

He growled, and in a fit, he tore his dress shirt open. “That doesn’t excuse you from bowing down!” His voice was deep and echoed through the barren hellscape.

“I am no longer loyal to your kind!” I argued.

He screamed, and readied his arm to swing at me. But I turned and sprinted across hell, mindful of the cracks in the dirt. I stepped on one, and fell in blackness.

Agh!

I lurched forward, stopping myself with my arm against my knees. It was my bedroom, bright and pastel blue. I rubbed my eyes, and drew out a long breath. Yes, I was awake. Just before the alarm set off.

The dream gave me chills. What if it turned out that way in real life? How would I ever face my new boss again?

I liked John.

Flash Fiction #1: Presence

For once, I had a moment of peace.

The zen garden wore off on me today. Since beginning my spiritual journey at the local Buddhist temple, I had done nothing but pull my hair out. The monks assured me this was part of the process, and that I needed to fight through the impatience.

My former self would have fought the monks over this — crying over the bleak future, as far as I could see. But I swallowed that urge, and did as instructed: remain present.

More thoughts arose. What if I was doing this whole presence thing wrong? What was it to remain present, anyway? I handed my phone to a monk, and made my way to the zen garden. I found myself unafraid of learning presence, even with the negative thoughts.

I picked up a rake and dug it into the corner of the sand. The gentle breeze cooled my head as the sun beat down — sun safety first; I brought a hat for this occasion. I raked around a boulder, and…

Never had I dropped so much tension. The grainy surface captivated me, and the thoughts melted away. This was Presence.

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