Snack Stories: 22 Short Tasty Stories

By Rose Politi

Are you hungry for a new story? This selection of bite-sized short stories might just be the perfect treat for you. 

Every man and one thought, every thought and one story. Romantic, humorous, entertaining and touching, the whole world in your hands. Ordinary and extraordinary people share their thoughts and their moments through the pages of 22 mini stories.

Luke, Rosalie, little lady Lee, are may be some of your friends or your neighbors. Maybe your alter ego in a parallel universe. This is a chance to know them.

Rose Politi's stories will make you laugh, cry and think about the world around us. Bon Appétit! 

• Language: English
• Publisher: AKAKIA Publications
• Release date: May 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781911352921

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CONTENTS

1. Mrs. Li’s Green Smart

2. Home

3. The Sleeping Beast

4. Ten Years of Marriage

5. The Uniform

6. I Am Being Watched

7. I Am Five Years Old

8. A Tough Question

9. A Phrase On Loan

10. The Temptress

11. My Twin

12. The Census

13. Memoryless

14. The Devil Is On Sick Leave

15. Happily modest

16. At the Gym

17. The Yellow Bicycle

18. Let the Mess Be

19. The Easter Egg

20. To Be Or Not To Be?

21. A Weird Dream

22. Psychotherapy

About the Author

1. Mrs. Li’s Green Smart

Mrs. Li’s green Smart was a real pain in the ass. Not only because of its size, but because of its driver as well; the infamous Mrs. Li, who was always happy and so annoyingly naive. It didn’t really matter what time it was when you happened to walk through the entrance of our apartment building, only to find that little green tin-can wedged, as always, between the door and the dumpsters. You can’t imagine how much I wanted God to grant me that one and only tiny wish, to find one of its windows open someday and throw a black stinking garbage bag inside!

Oops, I’m so sorry! It was an accident, really… I was so spacy! I’d say following the footsteps of naivety that were so typical of Mrs. Li’s petite figure. But it was more than that. The sounds that thing made were worse than anything a juggernaut could spew. You could hear it gunning endlessly, for hours, as if it was trying to gain enough momentum to make it through a steep mountain slope. And that horn… Oh my God! How infinitely disturbing. It sounded like a duck running away from the barrel of a hunters gun, all hot and bothered. Well, I wish I was that hunter! I wish I could shoot that thing and make it shut up once and for all!

One afternoon, we met at the entrance. Hello, Mr. White! she said with a smile on her face. She seemed genuinely happy to see me. And what did I do? I wore my serious face and gave her a dour look, barely managing to mumble a dry, indifferent good evening.

What’s wrong, Mr. White? That nerve-racking childishness made another appearance and painted her whole face. What could be wrong, Mrs. Li? Your little excuse of a car has gotten me all wound up again. I kept staring at her. That snow-white skin and her green eyes carrying just a hint of eyeshadow. And those cherry-red lips.

Would you like a lift?

Oh no! Thank you. Not in a million years was the first thought that crept into my mind. Mrs. Li left, almost bouncing in her little car. What a fool! You are a coward! Once again, I didn’t say anything about that boneshaker of hers. But next time? Next time, I won’t let her get away with it. I’ll really show her. Grabbing the lapels of my coat, I straightened my back, as if I were getting ready to stand up to the world. Goodbye Mrs. Li… till next time, I muttered as I watched her drive away.

~.~.~

Sooner than later we had our next encounter. It was two days after that, when I saw her walking out of the corner bookstore. I had convinced myself that it was time; no matter how elegant and soft-spoken she was, I would tell her, straight up, I would let her know how annoyed I was about the way both her little car and herself were smashing away my God-given right to live a noise-free life.

Good morning, Mr. White! How are you? she said, letting the glass door close slowly behind her. She approached me, with that constant, abnormal glow emanating from her face. For a moment, I saw her shining black hair playfully reflect the sun.

Good morning, Mrs. Li, I answered back, making a reluctant effort to smile, which inevitable led to a smirk instead of a genuine smile. How are you? I went on. That was my chance to start the conversation. We were already walking slowly towards our building.

Ah! Thank you for asking! Well, today of all days, I’m not feeling that well. Her lips tightened and a shadow of gloom spread over her eyes. Who knows what stunt she managed to pull this time!

I hope it’s not anything health-related, I said, trying to be as discreet as possible.

Oh no! Thank God! I am fine! But my car, my car is in the garage.

Aw! I am so sorry! I reacted, while feeling all festive inside for that little shining bumblebee’s few days of mandatory absence.

By the way, I meant to talk to you about…

You can talk to me about anything, Mr. White! You are always so nice and kind to me! Her face lit up again with a smile. I took a step back, like I was getting ready to charge.

Ah, yes. I wanted to talk to you about your car, Mrs. Li… I went on, hawing at my closed fist, is it serious?

The mechanic told me that there is something wrong with the gas pedal. Well, it makes all the sense in the world, the way she tortures that thing.

Yes, I had noticed that it was making a strange noise. Quite loud, I might add… I responded. She stopped walking and turned towards me. She gave me an agonizing look.

Did I cause you any inconvenience? Aw! I sincerely hope I didn’t! I would never want that!

Oh no, Mrs. Li. Good heavens, no! We were already standing in front of our building.

Thank you again for walking with me, Mr. White. You are so sweet!

You’re welcome! I said, painting a very specific picture in my mind—a guy sprinkling a whole lot of sugar on my head. That’s what I was, after all! Nothing more than a doughnut!

~.~.~

I jumped out of my bed. I could hear the disturbing noise through my bedroom windows. I pulled the curtains and peeked. And there it was, a cloud of grey smoke from some exhaust pipe smacking into me, as if someone was deliberately using a fan to push it against my face. I was forced to cough in order to get some air.

Well, this is outrageous! Her again? Unfortunately for me, her tin-can had returned to its base! I was ready to