Ms. Marken, the substitute teacher, was doing a math demonstration. Julie had finished the entire math unit two days before, so that was boring. Instead, Julie had taken out her Kindle and was ignoring the sub in the spirit of… Continue Reading
Her home was not a reflection of herself. Its walls didn’t exude her humor, wit, or pastimes. Shia was the result of a culture she didn’t belong to, its customs rooted in pop culture references and hip-hop. I can remember… Continue Reading
When Martin walked into The Thirsty Mermaid, the bar was damn near empty. The bartender, a young, chiseled Hispanic man, gave him a nod while two old drunkards at opposite ends of the bar stared into the bottom of their… Continue Reading
To: jkroger@IT.sandoroelec.comFrom: cdavis@sales.sandoroelec.comSubj: Urgent Printer Issue Dear Jeff, I’ve been trying to print my weekly report all day but every time I try to my computer reads >>ERROR PRINTER JAM. Mr. Boisey has been bugging me to get this report… Continue Reading
The mechanic was right: the park was well-watered and peaceful, the ideal place to wait while he replaced my two tires that had been slashed that morning. I had attended lectures on people-centered management at the town’s Ritz Carlton, a… Continue Reading
I moved my tongue, swallowed, and then silently mouthed a few of the odd syllables in the name. I blew air out, inflating my cheeks. I was about as ready as I would ever be. I looked at the stone.… Continue Reading
I park in her driveway, walk up her walk, and turn her key in its lock. It feels wrong, and the door sticks, as if it agrees. As if even it knows I’m far too late. I’ve driven through two… Continue Reading
Arthur’s mouth felt like he bit into a jalapeno when his phone buzzed. It was his dentist. “That bastard better not be trying to cancel my appointment,” he muttered. The light turned green, the car in back of him beeped,… Continue Reading
We were alarmed at first, my wife and I, when the small volcano appeared in our backyard. It had sprouted up one night, like a mushroom. It was no taller than a standard Weber grill, I’d say, and about ten… Continue Reading
If Kevin stole the lipstick, if he slipped the tube tagged Fuschia Shock into the front pocket of his jeans, poked it between the denim slits nonchalantly enough as if it were possible to pretend his brain was unaware of… Continue Reading