I was blessed to cross paths with Magus Bender a few decades ago. We sat in the lounge with four others. His fingers trembled as he showed his cards. Looking at the stooped magus and his gilded monocle, I felt… Continue Reading
In my defense, Mom shouldn’t have kept the Communion elements in the rumpus room. In her defense, the room wasn’t used much. As an only child, it’s hard to make a rumpus, especially when being the minister’s daughter renders you… Continue Reading
Spectators gathered beneath the multi-coloured bunting flapping overhead for the village’s Annual Chilli Eating Contest. A single long table dominated the green, the judges’ gazebo placed at its centre, pegged into the grass to stop it blowing over like last… Continue Reading
I was heading south. Vegas, to be exact. Five hundred hard-earned dollars were burning a hole in my pocket. That cheap-ass O’Reilly had finally coughed up what he owed for the two weeks I’d spent busing crates around in his… Continue Reading
Damian lowers the kickstand of his red Schwinn in front of the Italian Club on the corner of Sixth and Cavitt. “You look like one of the Delfeany boys. Your old man’s in the club.” Mr. Lenski pats Damian on… Continue Reading
Black. Godammit. 29 black. Not that the number mattered, thought Jack. He continued sitting on the stool just long enough for his subconscious to nudge his conscious into realizing that with no money left, he should move away from the… Continue Reading
“You look like you are down on your luck.” The voice came from a baggy-faced man. Kind of guy you’d call noir and brooding. “Might say that, mon ami,” I answered. We watched the croupier rake my last five dollars… Continue Reading
Adam stared across the table and tried to remind himself that when he looked at Eric, he was seeing the future of humanity. Or at least that’s what the paperwork said. The dossier listed Eric’s qualifications including strength, resilience, and… Continue Reading
Mike wished Dad and Robert would stop jabbering. He laid down his cards. “Straight flush.” Robert tossed his hand in with the discards. “You got me, Chief.” “Come down to Tampa and I’ll show you a professional game,” Dad said. “Senior… Continue Reading
A hush came over the saloon as Jebediah Hancock rose from his seat. He scowled at me across the card table. “You callin’ me a cheater, Sheriff?” “Looks like.” People scrambled away from nearby tables. “Take it back.” I smiled. “Nope.” He went… Continue Reading