Desi pulls the hoe slowly through the fine soil. He knows that Lena is watching. They have planted this garden many times, and Lena is a stickler for straight rows. He looks over to Lena for approval. She sits on… Continue Reading
Kyva rode into town on the Equinox, rounding on the throughway just as Milan finished deconjuring the holospirits. He’d pulled apart each line of code methodically, to ensure no malware could spawn in their wake, and the shimmering whales and… Continue Reading
Bill sat in an old folding chair and stared at the glowing embers of the campfire. His wife, Nancy, had always told him he needed an upgrade, one of those fancy bag chairs with cup holders. But he never gave… Continue Reading
Snorting. Spitting. Shouting. His red cheeks flapping as he stomped to the lobby like a fat toddler. A table of cotton candy heads snapped around. Their eyes rolling in unison. The leaned-back chatter and laughter now a huddle of whispers… Continue Reading
Pat Carlisle knew for a long time that her sister Rose Marie was a clairvoyant fake, a marketing genius, and a master of manipulation. The Psychic Rose found quick success by utilizing a classy website with a chat button. For… Continue Reading
“But when will I see you again, Mum?” asked Dylan. “Oh, by and by, my dear. You can be sure of it.” Orla smiled fondly at her son, struggling to keep her eyes open. It was just the two of… Continue Reading
“We’ve failed,” XDS-4 blinked flatly, solar fins hanging dejectedly from her torso. “Now millions will die and there’s nothing we can do.” No one else in the pod liked what she was saying, but no one could argue with the… Continue Reading
Appa grew up in a little boat town in Kerala called Alleppey (pronounced al-ah-pee). He stayed on a little rice paddy farm and bought the essentials 6 months in advance from the boatmen who passed by. “When I was young,”… Continue Reading
My first day alive, four days before my last, was cold and bright. The Woman had made me sometime in the morning when the air was damp and the garden was quiet. Before she gave me my eyes, I could… Continue Reading
Darlene sits in the kitchen wide-eyed and happy as I feed her. I spoon the mashed carrots into her mouth and she takes them. Occasionally, I make a little airplane flight path with the spoon and a vroom sound she… Continue Reading