JT EVERGREEN SHORT STORIES

As told by Elmer Bumpsted The Christmas Carol was playing on the TV, but more as a background white noise; I was busy wrapping Christmas presents. When that fellow Marley came through the door draped from head to foot in those great heavy chains … just for an instant, I thought of myself. I hadn’t done anything particularly woeful in my life, but there it was … a subtle but inexplicable weightiness I had not detected within myself until now.  I wondered about it, and kept wondering about it over and over. By and by, my guardian angel, Gertrude, fluttered by and whispered in my ear, “Each heavy link in your chain is forgiveness you have withheld from someone.” “Hey, Gertie, wait a minute. What are you talking about? I’m a very forgiving fellow.” She smiled, waved her chubby little hand, and flew away, leaving me wondering more than ever. It was a dark and stormy night when the Grandfather Clock in the living room struck the midnight hour. I opened my eyes and nearly...

Mike O’Houlihan stepped into the elevator on floor 32 and pressed the lobby button on the flight panel. To his astonishment, the elevator began ascending rather than descending, “What the . . .?” As the numbers on the floor indicator changed rapidly, he frantically pressed all the buttons on the flight panel hoping to stop it. The elevator continued to rise. When it reached floor 64, the numbers on the indicator stopped, but the elevator did not. “Holy shit!” Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the elevator stopped with a sudden jolt. Mike grabbed the handrail to keep from falling. The door to the elevator sounded like it had come off of its rollers as it opened and clanged to a stop. To Mike’s utter and profound amazement, the prospect contained nothing but white fluffy clouds. A few wisps of white stuff floated past the elevator door. He stood still for a moment wondering what he should do.  He pressed the ‘close door’ button. Nothing happened except a loud a...

Vivian Scott paused in front of The Olde Book Shoppe display window. She was an avid antique collector so, when she saw the antique bottles in the display window, she had to stop and inspect the offering. The longer she looked, the more inclined she was to go in and have an even closer look. Her wristwatch told her she had more than enough time to browse before her train departed for her home in Arlington Heights. The little bell over the front door jingled merrily as she entered and closed the door. It was then she heard someone shuffling across the floorboards in an adjacent room. The divider curtain parted and an elderly man entered. “Good afternoon, my dear.  How may I be of assistance?” “Good afternoon …?” “My name is Morris and this is my shop.” “Good afternoon, Morris. I noticed the antique bottles in your display window. May I have a closer look?” “Indeed you may.  The display window is unlocked … please help yourself.  There are more of these beaut...