She heard a thump downstairs, then another. Lolly slipped from her bed and down the steps toward the glow of the Christmas tree. Her heart bounced. She was going to see Santa Claus! “Daddy?” Her father quickly turned from the… Continue Reading
Itzhak poured another finger of bourbon for the tragic man sitting in front of him. The people who came into his bar on Christmas Eve were almost always tragic. Drunks who’d alienated their families, old men with nobody left, or… Continue Reading
My opponent had been sitting at the board for a good half hour, and still hadn’t moved. I shifted uneasily in my chair. There were only two or three moves from which he could sensibly choose, so what was he… Continue Reading
I stood in a circle of cross-legged children, clutching the delicate menorah out in front of me, afraid of dropping it. My mother had carefully wrapped it in tissue paper to keep it safe on the ride to school. “Be… Continue Reading
The snap of the twig was always the best part. The scent of the dried wood, dead for months now, would rise to her nose. She would inhale its scent, drinking in lost memories of seasons long since passed. The… Continue Reading
The engine shed is a hive of activity. Pistons must be greased, drive rods cleaned, regulator valves stripped down. Madern sits in his overalls, hunched over his unit, inspecting boiler seals through the magnifier. Arthek peers over Madern’s shoulder. “If… Continue Reading
I try not to make eye contact, squeeze into the crowded elevator. Fasten the last button on my trench coat to conceal my naked breasts. Poncho whimpers as I attach the leash to his collar, so I kiss his round… Continue Reading
“It’s your call,” said the demon, in his reasonable, man of the world voice. “No skin off my nose.” Bob ran his razor along his upper lip. “Let me get this straight,” he said, peering at his reflection. “When Ethel…”… Continue Reading
I should’ve read the small print. Slowing down ageing sounds like a good idea, right? I was in my prime, and staying that way forever would be great. I took the deal. Aeons isn’t that different from forever, is it?… Continue Reading
I was walking through downtown San Jose, passing the Convention Center, when I saw a man wearing a business suit, long overcoat, and bright red Converse sneakers. The suit looked like it fit him well, a bit rumpled in places,… Continue Reading