Hello! What can I help you with today? That’s a great question! In J. D. Salinger’s coming of age novel The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield’s red hunting hat symbolizes his alienation from the world. He often wears the… Continue Reading
A long time ago there was a small town in a picturesque valley where they kept finding more and more coal. It started growing in the mid 1800s and people from all around the region moved there to work in… Continue Reading
The epiphany, that affection in my current relationship is unevenly distributed, struck me at about the I-5/405 split. I felt a shaking to the innermost part of my being although, on reflection, it could also have been that “Cammy,” as… Continue Reading
The morning begins with thin, honeyed light streaming through the blinds and landing on the small square table by the window. It’s the kind of light that softens everything it touches, a light that forgives. The type of light people… Continue Reading
“I want something edgy,” says the client. Bloody hell. I’m a hairdresser not a miracle worker, thinks Pauline, running her hands over the bleached helmet of hair in front of her. “How do you mean?” Pauline asks, smiling professionally into… Continue Reading
Gertie weathered the donkeys’ endless braying — sharp and grating across the pasture: A HORSE’S PLOW WE WON’T ALLOW Their voices cracked hollow, like imaginary whips against which they rebelled. “Ignorant jackasses,” Gertie muttered. “The field’s been fallow for weeks.”… Continue Reading
Two nearly identical men in dark suits and mirrored sunglasses showed up at my door. One was about 6 foot tall. The other was maybe 6’1″. “We’re here with the Treasury, Fraud Division,” said the taller one. “Come in —… Continue Reading
When I moved to the quaint town it was cicada hatching season. The noisy insects wouldn’t shut up with their high-pitched squeal that buzzed on some hellish frequency day and night. I started going insane and spent my days pacing… Continue Reading
It all started out so innocently. The week before Easter there was no news. Absolutely none. Admittedly, not much ever happened in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, but this was serious. No crimes, no traffic accidents. Not even a school board meeting. Amy… Continue Reading
The pew was not visibly broken, which was part of the disagreement. “I didn’t break it,” said Ewan. “You absolutely broke it,” Nadia said. “I adjusted my position.” “You stood on it.” “I did not stand.” “You mounted,” Miles said.… Continue Reading