PATINUM • L. T. Ward
I rented the same beach house as the one we vacationed at fourteen years ago. That was the last summer for the five of us, the one before the children began disengaging from Tyler and I. The one of our… Continue Reading
Stories
BOMB THE TANK (FOR VINCENZO) • James Flanagan
Tommaso balanced four glasses of beer, stretching his arthritic fingers to keep them from spilling. He placed one each in front of his old friends Sergio and Enrico and left one at an empty seat on the table.All three men… Continue Reading
ELLEN’S EULOGY • Meg Artley
Ellen called a few weeks ago from her hospital bed, demanding a eulogy. How does one say “no” to such a request from a neighbor and fellow parishioner? Perhaps the most honorable way to perform these duties is to describe… Continue Reading
JUST AS HE WANTED • Bruno Lowagie
“I miss the good old times when everyone feared artificial intelligence,” John sighs. He sips from his glass and nods approvingly at the service bot. “Delicious!” he exclaims. “This cocktail is perfect!” “Just as you wanted,” the robot answers without… Continue Reading
CAVEMAN • Fiona Murray
I met the caveman back at a time when I used to go wandering a lot more than I can now. I was doing hikes up and down the east coast, with just a backpack and a map. I was… Continue Reading
LATE-NIGHT SCROLLING • Christy Hartman
Ben’s yellow emoji sticks out among the red hearts and love eyes—a sore-loser’s thumb. We were a Molotov cocktail. Forever holding matches to already scorched skin, craving the relief of explosion. Intoxicated by the ride. His fuse fizzled out two… Continue Reading
APTITUDE DAY • Jeff Gard
Lantri awoke from a nightmare about failing the Aptitude Day test and reached for the vial on their nightstand. All that studying. All that preparation and the future came down to a single test. What if they were selected for… Continue Reading
WHY THEY STAY • S. L. Stark
The ticking clock accented the deep snores from beside her. She listened intently, making sure his breathing was deep and natural. Minutes passed. Then an hour. Then two. She worried he was faking it, that he could feel how frantically… Continue Reading
SUPPLY AND DEMAND • Jon Clendaniel
The famous Rikk’s Interstellar Pawn was bustling with activity when Glophous 5 glided through the front doors. Patrons from all over the quadrant milled around, inspecting the shop’s wares. Opulent jewelry sat alongside various trinkets, antiques, and other odds and… Continue Reading
BOTTOM BUTTON • Bob Gielow
Raymond Marino hustled into work every day for scenarios like this one. As he was taught by his father, Nunzio, who worked for 18 years at the original Barney’s of New York, Raymond understood he was not just a salesman,… Continue Reading