Wandering Shop Stories 65

Prompt Word: Bond Minervie and Chip 53 Edna and Gungan discussed family, and after some thought, Edna decided that Gungan was a third cousin, once removed. This would say that Gungan’s family line had had kids a bit faster, but well, Edna wasn’t going to correct any assumptions he made about her being a similar age as him. Eventually, they returned to the actual home on the property, and Gungan fell asleep as soon as he sat on the guest room bed, falling awkwardly, with his feet never leaving the floor....

12 Jan 2026 · 2 min · Gary Allen Vollink

Wandering Shop Stories 64

Prompt Word: Age Minervie and Chip: 52 Three unconscious men were tied by their wastes, dangling together underneath a broom stick, about two miles NorthEast of the mouth of the Brisbane, not far from Mud Island, and about one meter above the waters of Moreton Bay. Minervie, atop the floating broom, dipped a lower to dunk them a bit. As these men were shocked awake, Minervie drove her broom is a slow clockwise circle while gaining altitude....

11 Jan 2026 · 2 min · Gary Allen Vollink

Wandering Shop Stories 63

Prompt Word: Temple Minervie and Chip 51 Minervie’s first stop was what the locals politely called high density housing, South of the Brisbane River. “I’m looking for a Frank Jones, and if nobody by that name exists, someone who works near North Quay. She handed to man who’d answered the door a dollar. I owe him, but he disappeared after helping.” The man took the dollar, and shrugged his shoulders, “You’re welcome to come in, miss, but I can’t guarantee your safety....

10 Jan 2026 · 2 min · Gary Allen Vollink

Wandering Shop Stories 62

Prompt Word: Bug Minervie and Chip 50 Edna started as slow as she knew how, “Have you heard of a ward?” Gungan squinted, “Like in a jail?” Edna shook her head, “Like the phrase, ‘To ward off’. In this case: guard, protect.” Gungan just nodded. Edna continued, “The very timber you are leaning against is a ward. It protects me. It keeps the unwanted away. If the colonists try to come here, they will get lost....

9 Jan 2026 · 2 min · Gary Allen Vollink