My sister slices the pie, her lips drawn together in a tight purse, the disapproving grimace of a person performing an unfamiliar task. We sit at the dining room table. I look because I can’t stop myself from staring over… Continue Reading
The Ferris wheel compartment was painted like a popcorn machine, and it was about the size of one, too. Only a sliver of space separated Keldon from Anne, but his shoulder still pressed uncomfortably into the side. As they ascended… Continue Reading
The playwright Seagal Pilchard was known for his great love for his cat, Peabody. An affection I can well and personally attest to. The first time I met Saggy was at his apartment nearby the harbour. I had been convinced… Continue Reading
The muscular barbarian surveyed the circle of bodies around him, and spat in the gore-soaked sand. “Is that the best you can do?” he roared at the distant figure atop the largest of the tombs that dotted the desert in… Continue Reading
Sweat crept down his back as he stepped off the rumbling bus and stood at attention with the other recruits. He’d used a cheap comb to part his hair with what he thought was military precision — on the right,… Continue Reading
Getting married wearing nothing but whipped cream seemed like a terrible idea. So Gemma thought: why not? That is to say, she knew why not. But even so. Then too, what would Bryan wear? There would a terrible imbalance in… Continue Reading
“Marlina, we’ve been waiting for you. Please, take a seat,” the counselor said, gesturing to the empty chair. Marlina did what she was told, cautiously taking a seat across the room from Eddie. He smiled at her, prompting the knot… Continue Reading
Westwood Elementary student arrested with gun at school. No injuries. Phones ding and buzz mid-meeting with the news alert. Sharp breaths and low groans ricochet around the table. Everyone turns to me. Westwood is my son Kiel’s school. Naturally, I… Continue Reading
Jane, my best friend ever since junior high, cornered me after work to ask what was going on. She hadn’t seen nor heard from me in weeks. She and others must have left me a million text messages. I never… Continue Reading
Juanita eases the old woman into the rocker, its tiny nails tightly securing the branches and twigs that form its construction. The slats of the chairback shape the old woman’s spine, sitting her as straight as she’d been, so many… Continue Reading