She’s gone off again to dig into the food that I saw first. She always does this. Sometimes I wish she’d buzz off someplace else. She could just pop into those huge machines these flat-eyed behemoths love to sit in… Continue Reading
She hears the shower running and she stands outside the door until he emerges, tea tree and lemon on his skin, flowers and fruit conditioning his hair. She presses hands over mouth to stop herself retching as he bends to… Continue Reading
You are. You are two cells old–zygote and sperm. You are the miracle. No need to know, only to grow. You hear the heart of your mother and the music soft and far away of human voice. You twist and… Continue Reading
When I found her, she was nearly frozen from the sea, blue-lipped and chattering. Her hair was dripping, and she’d been swimming in her underwear. She had huddled into herself halfway between dunes and water, and couples angled their paths… Continue Reading
The fourth time Vicki’s FOR SALE sign went up in her ugly old Mazda, I’d given up my beer budget and was spending next to nothing on food. Kitty was what she called it. She’d bought fake-fur seat covers, floral… Continue Reading
Today I worked as Dhory’s apprentice. Dhory is a sweet, young lady with an amazing gift for non-judgmental listening and the ability to caress an aching heart. These attributes serve her well; she is a therapist for the elderly. I… Continue Reading
I was six years old when I was branded a thief. You understand that I don’t mean literally branded — I escaped that! I mean I was caught red-handed with stolen goods. There was no doubt but I was guilty.… Continue Reading
“It’s seven-forty,” she announces, with a tone that reminds me why I don’t cook her breakfast anymore. “Will you please wake up and listen to me?” I roll on my good shoulder and look into the bathroom. No eye contact… Continue Reading
In a flash — in a brief, starlet moment — under the lights and sound, they were brilliant: they were the debonair and the beautiful, and for every moment from that time forward, we loved them. We watched with eyes… Continue Reading
“Hear me, oh muse,” the teller began. “Oh for crud’s sake, Ishmael, get on with it!” cried a voice from those huddled near the hearth. “When April showers–” “Does it have any action in it?” “I’m bored! Let’s go watch… Continue Reading