I opened the curtains. Charlie, in his giant recliner, flinched, as if I’d thrown a bucket of water in his face. “What’re you doing here?” “Letting in the light, bro,” I said. “It’s good to see you, too.” Charlie wore… Continue Reading
People know me as Reggie, the eleven-year-old boy that drowned a puppy. Ten years ago I was a guest on The Dr. Lydia Show. I typically get asked one of two questions about the episode: 1. “Did you get paid… Continue Reading
At 6:42 a.m. she steps barefoot onto the bathroom scale. In two months, she gained five pounds. She presses a fist to her mouth and pretends not to cry. Underneath the sink she keeps her special pills for this type… Continue Reading
Caesar Learns to Juggle Caesar is born in Kansas, 1932, where there is nothing and will never be anything. His future is limited to the dustbowl of the country, where he will die with a lungful of dirt and empty… Continue Reading
The years have been kind when I see George again. I’m wandering the carnival alone, licking the last bit of cotton candy stickiness from my fingers. It’s Father’s Day weekend, and Daniel and I have made the trek back to… Continue Reading
You don’t think about bad news right away when you see that golden spongy log in cellophane by your dinner plate. You don’t question the oddity or take any special note of the fact that we don’t eat Twinkies for… Continue Reading
Rich looked at the pill. It seemed far too small to do what it was supposed to. “Is it safe?” he asked. “Nothing is really safe,” said Derek. “If you don’t take risks, you might as well sit at home… Continue Reading
The wolf clambered across the roof of the brick house, wriggled into the chimney, fell and plunged into a cauldron of boiling water. The three pigs cheered, their beady eyes flashing within the deep recesses of their doughy faces, as… Continue Reading
“Faye Taylor!” “Yes?” “Someone bailed you out.” The policeman unlocked the holding cell and swung the door open. “What? How?” The cop jerked a thumb at the exit. “Talk to the officer out front.” “Um, thanks.” Faye wandered to the… Continue Reading
The white house was spacious, well-adorned, and beautiful, but they made Lily live under the stairs. Her family said it was her fault. She’d been damningly different from her beginning. When she brought in the little bird who’d fallen from… Continue Reading