Sam and Katie dash into the surf. They are four and six and so full of life it breaks Anna’s heart. She’s walking twenty yards behind them. Her husband, Jim, trudges along beside her. “Don’t go out too far,” Anna… Continue Reading
The sun shone bright in the small southern California town’s blue sky. The fall wine festival was in full swing. A local band plucked their guitar strings and happy couples strolled by, holding wine glasses. Families walked together, enjoying their… Continue Reading
It’s the middle of the eighth inning, and Jake’s eleven-year-old daughter, Sandy, lies on her stomach two feet from the television screen. Her light brown ponytail sticks out the back of a baseball cap—their team’s cap. Propping up her chin… Continue Reading
I was tired that night anyway, and the Tylenol that Mom gave me got me to sleep quickly. But a couple hours later the pain woke me, and I remember mindlessly rustling in the bed. It was late and I… Continue Reading
“Timmy, what is it now?” Mark snapped at the small figure in the kitchen doorway. “Phone ringing, Dadda.” Timmy waved the mobile phone at his father. “It’s no bloody wonder I can’t hear it, the noise the two of you… Continue Reading
“But I’ve done everything you asked for the last twelve years. You said I’d have a choice!” “You do. The choice is between electrical engineering or biochemistry. Not music.” I watched his hands bend into claws of frustration. He looked… Continue Reading
Late to work, scrambling school runs, an urgent dentist appointment — every red light seems to burn longer than the last. But now, approaching a destination I don’t want to reach, the streets glow green. I miss the turning twice,… Continue Reading
Fabia wasn’t sure why her entrails grew suddenly cold, just where the baby had begun to stir. She wasn’t superstitious, she’d laughed at the crazy predictions of Aurelia the retired Vestal Virgin like everyone else in the city. When Aurelia… Continue Reading
The three of us are sitting on a wooden swing, watching the clouds on the surface of the lake. The chains creak with our every motion. Our son, Percy, is sitting between us. He loves fireworks and is patiently waiting… Continue Reading
“Where’s the birthday girl?” The clown lopes in through the front door, holding a frizzy rainbow-colored wig in his hand. “The party’s downstairs,” the mother answers and walks toward the basement, assuming the clown is following. He has stopped in… Continue Reading