When the phone rings, I reach for the Advil in the bathroom. I know it’s my mother. Sucking in my breath, I close my eyes before I answer it. “Have you written your novel yet?” she asks, with the enthusiasm… Continue Reading
It started when my mom and dad were fighting all the time. Or maybe it started before that, I really don’t know. Mr. Shankowski says I shouldn’t blame Mom and Dad for everything, but I don’t think he understands what… Continue Reading
Vic grabbed the whammy bar with a shaking hand for the last sustains. Fingers aching from ten minutes of full-out play in expert mode, he clicked madly through the bonus and nailed the concluding chord. The adrenaline in his body… Continue Reading
The last survivor of 9/11 died today. She had walked out of the South Tower after the first plane hit the North Tower. She made her way to her tiny apartment and stayed for three days without opening the door… Continue Reading
Sidney bulled his way in from the farmhouse porch, slamming the screen door, ignoring Maggie’s protests. She backed away from his advance, across the room to the very sofa she and Delia had occupied in peace, moments before. When her… Continue Reading
I was resting in my room, trying to shut out the noise and the colours — and failing. Spiky brown flashes erupted behind my eyes as a dog barked. Somewhere in the distance a car alarm went off, sending pulses of… Continue Reading
Do you know anybody who likes crows? Of course not! I knew you’d say no! How can anyone ever like a crow! Those birds are just too ugly and way too clever for their own good. Just look at them.… Continue Reading
“Jess, take ’im out.” If Jesse pulled the trigger, his dad would know. He’d hear the loud click and the buck would bolt and his dad would snatch the .30.30 from his hands and hiss, “Why didn’t you load it?”… Continue Reading
The advert had stipulated ‘Bring your own boots’. Kanti looked at the men’s feet. Most wore wellies. One had work-boots, dusty at the toes. The man at the far end wore Doc Martens. She referred to the list on the… Continue Reading
I glanced to my left and stopped myself from double-taking like a Looney Tunes character. I had to be contented with instead staring down at the waiting room tabloid magazine in front of me. The girl on the cover. The… Continue Reading