“I’ll never understand why you have to isolate yourself on the other side of the world,” she said, smoothing dripping hair away from her face. His hands clenched in his lap, reacting with a frustration of their own at not… Continue Reading
I’m standing on second base, a clean double. Sal and Eddie came home on my hit. We’re still down by a run, but we have only one out. We should be able to at least tie this game. “Good hit,… Continue Reading
He is already screaming at me. Even before I cross the intersection, he is gesticulating in my direction, brandishing a tiny black prayer book. My accuser, garbed in black hat and coat, is perched behind an overturned shopping cart: a… Continue Reading
I hated my options. Wouldn’t sell my jewelry. Agathe said, “You can’t take it with you,” but we can’t take anything with us. My husband had turned into a toad and hopped away; my kids were just starting out; I… Continue Reading
She hears the fat thump from down the hallway and pokes her head out from the kitchen. Sighs. Then reaches to turn the turnips down and throw her oven mitts on the tabletop. The dead weight of Granny, sunk into… Continue Reading
My Aunt once told me that love comes uninvited. She offered no context, and because of my young age I did not demand one. She was a widow who fell in love at an inopportune time. My disapproving family called… Continue Reading
If only rotted flesh had more appeal, then Peter wouldn’t have a problem. If Halloween were about swans gliding across glass-smooth waters, or roses in full, fat bloom, then he would have no trouble choosing an image to carve. As… Continue Reading
She had known in the end, of course, had climbed into the car with no more ceremony than if we had been going on a picnic. She said she was glad to be out, the fresh air was a joy.… Continue Reading
Her face was dark and strange, unwarmed by the firelight. I’m her heart’s whole world and even I felt chilled by it. That man was every way a fool to make my Nan so angry. If I grow up half… Continue Reading
(After Saki) “Mum’s in the loo,” the young girl told him. “She takes forever. I mean literally for ever.” Frank sat. This had been his mother’s idea. “You’ve got to meet people, Frankie Boy. You’re thirty-five. Upload a photo. Invent… Continue Reading