It’s always a struggle first thing in the morning. These stiff, arthritic knees take time to warm up, to loosen, to bend. I’m out of bed now and moving around. The nurses in the home tell me that there are… Continue Reading
I recognized the waitress. Allison or Anna. “Hey, how are you? Haven’t seen you in a while,” she said. I took off my heavy winter coat and scarf and settled into the diner booth. “Fine. I haven’t seen you in… Continue Reading
I didn’t like to see her go like that, but perhaps it was for the best. Drowning’s meant to be a good way, but I don’t see how. All that salt water up the nose, and the panic. Though she… Continue Reading
James slid further down in the driver’s seat of his worn-out Opel Kadett, lighting another cigarette, his hands shaking more than usual. The cigs were the only vice he still allowed himself. But they didn’t do much to calm his… Continue Reading
The old man looked around and frowned. He despised the place. “Give it some time, Max. I’m sure you’ll like it better when you get settled in,” the staff nurse said with a rehearsed professional smile. “Not possible,” he growled.… Continue Reading
Jenna opened the small box at the bottom of Oma’s closet. She began to cry when she saw the pair of bright pink sneakers, which she had loved as a child, was embarrassed by as a teenager, and respected her… Continue Reading
Kumi perched on one side of a quilt-covered pedestal, naked. Easels were pulled around her in a semi-circle. Students, both earnest and lackadaisical, staffed the easels, peeking out, squinting, thumbs raised, brushes or charcoal poised to capture her. A small… Continue Reading
She hauled him from the olive-green painted wooden cot. Her back ached but it had become a pain she learned to live with. One palm held his nappied bottom and the other cupped his tiny head, which was cold to… Continue Reading
Joel left that Friday morning right after the last croissants came out of the oven. He took a loaf of challah bread with him. It was his favorite. Marie expected her soon to be ex would be making massive slabs… Continue Reading
As much as he had never signed up for this duty, as much as his bosses said it didn’t exist, Louie figured he was stuck with it now. The thunder of planes taking off and landing a few meters away,… Continue Reading