My Short Story Collection

By Dean Fifield

My Short stories that I used for various competitions over the last two years while I developed my Sci-Fi novels

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dean Fifield
• Release date: Dec 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005723033

Dean Fifield

I was born in a small town in Western New York, being the youngest of seven kids. I was a typical kid growing up and now find it ironic that I enjoy writing so much as relaxation when I hated English in school and couldn't wait for it to be over. I mostly write Sci-Fi stuff as that is where I am most comfortable. I started writing what I called a Sci-Fi novel over ten years ago, but could never just get the right drive to actually write it. Just before COVID struck, I sat down and delete almost all of the 5 pages I had and started over. That night I wrote thirty-six pages before finally going to bed. I never figured I would ever write romance or even poetry, but in the short story part I published, I actually found it pretty easy. The poetry ... not so much. I struggled with it. But as my wife reminded me, if you set your mind to it, it can happen. I would like to give a special shout-out to my sister Gloria Fifield, who helps me with editing. You can also find her books here on Smashwords as well.

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Copyright 2022 Dean Fifield

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These are the short stories I did while deciding on what my writing style would be. A couple of them I even submitted to the NYCMidnight competition under the Sci-Fi category. Dead Man’s Flight, was once such a story I did with it having to be under 1000 words, a strong start, middle, and a climax ending in 24 hours. I hope you enjoy them as I had fun writing them.

Dean Fifield

The Little Shop of Roses

Criteria for this story were Historical Romance, candle roses, and a dog. I completely blew the Historical, but it was still a cute story.

––––––––

Donna had just finished filling the window of her flower store with fresh bouquets and was tidying up before opening this morning. It was a beautiful spring day and a lot of natural sunlight for all the flowers in the sunroom as well as in the window. This was the first day open for the store with Donna as the new owner, and she wanted everything to be perfect.

Donna started working in the store part-time two years ago after her automobile accident. After lying in a bed with a cast for three months, once free of the cast, she needed to get out and get some fresh air.

Betty had just hung the sign in the window to advertise for the Help Wanted when Donna strolled by and inquired about the job. Betty had explained that being sixty-eight years old, she could no longer keep up with all the daily chores needed and would need someone who could handle the watering, the trash, and some other minor chores. Donna did not need the money after her insurance settlement, but what she did need, was to be out of the house. She simply wanted something to keep herself busy during the day.

Miss, what did you say your name was again?

Donna was surprised by the interview, there was no job application, no references needed, just an old fashion sit down with the owner and a handshake,

Donna Ma’am! Donna Reardon.

"Well Donna, as you can see the store is not that big, and it is not as busy as it used to be. But what we have over those online store places is our friendly faces to greet people when they come in."

Ma’am, I do not require anything big, I just want to be able to stay busy during the days and continue to enjoy life as it comes.

OK Donna, my name is Betty, and if $13.50 an hour is fine with you, my only other question is when can you start?

Donna did not hesitate at the offer and held out her hand, Ms. Betty, I can start right now if you need me to!

Follow me then. Betty gave Donna a tour of the store and the supplies and a list of all the chores that she would be doing. From that point on the two ladies were almost inseparable. They became instant friends.

Over the next two years, Betty had become more and more dependent on Donna at the store, so much so that she had to sit her down to give her the bad news, that she could no longer run the store and would have to sell it and retire. Betty was almost in tears trying to tell Donna until Donna interrupted her,

Ms. Betty, it’s ok, in fact, it’s more than ok. I have a sizeable sum left over from the insurance; I would love to buy the store from you!

That was all it took, and Betty had her lawyers draw up the paperwork the next day. It would not be the same without Ms. Betty there, but this was the opportunity she was waiting for. Of Course, Ms. Betty offered to help with books and paperwork until