End of Story | Jeanette Stampone

A story about the author behind the story.

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 End of Story

Jeanette Stampone

For the Quitters Anonymous Award

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Check emails.

Woolworths Rewards

Get 50% off your next order

Dear Jeanette, Congratulations! You have…

Delete.

Bank of Oztralia

You have inherited $100,000

Dear Ms Jenet Stimine, our client has left money…

Delete.

Fancypants Publishing

Your submission

Dear Jeanette, Thank you for your…

Click.

Open dammit!

Click. Click. Click.

Dear Jeanette,

Thank you for your recent submission.  Unfortunately, your manuscript has not been chosen for publication.  We feel that that the current market is not ready for flesh-eating zombie kittens.

Kind regards,

Fancypants Publishing Submissions Department

Should have known it wasn’t good enough. That’s the bloody eighth, no… ninth rejection.

That’s it. I’m not doing this anymore. I am obviously a terrible writer and everyone hates my work.

Snot dribbles out of my nose and I wipe it away with my sleeve, before taking a slurp of coffee.

It’s a blessing really. Might have some more time to do other stuff now. I wouldn’t mind photography or cross-stitching maybe. The kids might not get so many burnt dinners. Yep, it’s all good.

I stare at the email. Then gently close the laptop and finish my coffee.

Might go for a walk and clear my head.

As I wander aimlessly through the quiet suburban streets, a man trots past carrying a briefcase and wearing a torn T-shirt.

Hmm… look at him. I bet he’s struggling, trying to make ends meet for his family. Or maybe he’s just been attacked by those who know his true identity.

Stop. I must stop.

So, let me think. What am I going to cook for dinner tonight? Spag bol. Yep, that will…

Oh!

Gazing upwards, I watch as a leaf zig-zags through the air. It is so beautiful in the way it flutters, just like the wings of a fragile butterfly.

Shit. I’m at it again. Need to forget. Need to numb my mind.

Rummaging through my bag, I find my phone and login to Facebook.

Ha! Look at that cat! He’s crazy!

Oh, that poor, poor sick sausage dog.

I type ‘Amen’.

Oooh, what’s this?

Needle In The Hay

Check out our latest contest now open.

Ignore. Move on. No more writing for me.

I scroll down.

Then I scroll back up again.

Maybe just one little look…

 

 

 

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Title Image: Shutterstock