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This is the best part of being editor of the Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette: showcasing the work of a flash fiction writer. Hello hello hello, my brother and sister bloggers and writers. The Old Soldier is feeling pretty spry today. I just did a Google search for the key words “flash fiction.” And guess what. The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette was in the top ten responses. The Gazette may not be there tomorrow, but it sure was there today.
So, how would you like to be a guest writer for the most dynamic flash fiction blog on the Internet? Don’t wait too much longer before you send me something. The writing contest closes on October 1, 2010. So, send me something. Be sure to read and follow the submission guidelines. The submissions tab is at the top of the page.
Now for our feature presentation.
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Father
“Whenever I can I visit father,” Carlos said. “You should do the same.”
“I will,” I said.
Carlos, my younger sibling who got married before me, never fails to remind me every time we see each other. It sounded like an obligation when he says it. We don’t see each other often though. Only on special occasions. His son’s or his daughter’s birthday. Christenings. Christmas. My birthday. Carlos thinks like father. He took after our old man’s serious disposition. To him all things no matter how commonplace it is must be taken seriously.
“You have more time than I,” Carlos said.
“I have tons of work in school waiting to be done.” It sounded like a lame excuse to my ears.
“You’re free Saturdays and Sundays. I’m not. Sometimes I even have to work on Sundays when the company requires us to.”
“I have graduate school on Saturdays,” I said.
“You should visit him, though.”
Carlos works in a feeds manufacturing plant. We both finished the same course. He never took the Licensure Examination for Teachers. He opted for a job in a company rather than teach.
“He’s our father,” he said. “And he’s living alone.”
My brother took our father’s advice. He has a seven-year old daughter and two younger sons. They often disagree. But you can tell that they both try to understand each other. Carlos always runs to our father whenever he is in need or in trouble.
“I do visit him,” I said.
“But not as often as I do,” he said.
“I’ll try to do so more often.”
“You should. Besides, I need to spare some time with my children,” he said.
The End
Bio: Billy T. Antonio was born in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, Philippines. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree at the Urdaneta City University, Urdaneta City, Philippines. He was a fellow for fiction of the 44th U.P. National Writers Summer Workshop in Baguio City.
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