Category Archives: short stories
Down River
(For Susan) “How long’ll you be staying?” The campsite host pressed his palms on either side of her mother’s window. His eyes moseyed around the interior of the car, from the sleeping bags and boxes of food to Aster in
Down River
(For Susan) “How long’ll you be staying?” The campsite host pressed his palms on either side of her mother’s window. His eyes moseyed around the interior of the car, from the sleeping bags and boxes of food to Aster in
vow of silence
The machine could answer as well as she. Always chipper and polite, it always had time, and callers didn’t care one way or the other; in fact, they were quite expansive and put on a little show with chuckles and
vow of silence
The machine could answer as well as she. Always chipper and polite, it always had time, and callers didn’t care one way or the other; in fact, they were quite expansive and put on a little show with chuckles and
In the First Person
I never lied to anyone. Not about anything important, that is. What some might call deceit I like to think of as artistic embellishment, an essential component of my quest toward self-realization. Everyone should get a turn in the sun.
In the First Person
I never lied to anyone. Not about anything important, that is. What some might call deceit I like to think of as artistic embellishment, an essential component of my quest toward self-realization. Everyone should get a turn in the sun.
Fathers’ Day
This story is a token of love and appreciation for J on Fathers’ Day, and for all breadwinners who get the job done. * At first he didn’t mind the commute, even looked forward to having a little cushion between
Fathers’ Day
This story is a token of love and appreciation for J on Fathers’ Day, and for all breadwinners who get the job done. * At first he didn’t mind the commute, even looked forward to having a little cushion between
Mothers Group (or Euphenasia)
Setting: Every Wednesday at ten o’clock they meet at Tot Land, a busy kiddy park packed with tricycles, play tables, and a huge mess of discarded plastic toys. Characters: Prudy (a red-headed Brit who hasn’t slept for more than four
Mothers Group (or Euphenasia)
Setting: Every Wednesday at ten o’clock they meet at Tot Land, a busy kiddy park packed with tricycles, play tables, and a huge mess of discarded plastic toys. Characters: Prudy (a red-headed Brit who hasn’t slept for more than four
poor me: a brief dip in the pool of self pity
I’ve never entered a writing contest before, mostly because usually they charge a fee (which makes the whole thing seem like a racket) but also because I am a really, really lousy loser. My husband won’t play pool with me
poor me: a brief dip in the pool of self pity
I’ve never entered a writing contest before, mostly because usually they charge a fee (which makes the whole thing seem like a racket) but also because I am a really, really lousy loser. My husband won’t play pool with me
dirty parts (first draft)
He doesn’t like to get his hands dirty. He’s more of a perma-press kind of guy with plastic in his collar and a sharp crease down his leg. The palms of his hands are soft and smooth, made for flipping
dirty parts (first draft)
He doesn’t like to get his hands dirty. He’s more of a perma-press kind of guy with plastic in his collar and a sharp crease down his leg. The palms of his hands are soft and smooth, made for flipping
can you imagine?
CHARACTERS: Player 1: A redhead wearing the short sleeve cashmere cardigan (in heather algae) and cropped matchstick jeans (in white denim) from J Crew. Player 2: A blonde in a yoga outfit with a golden retriever named Buddha on
can you imagine?
CHARACTERS: Player 1: A redhead wearing the short sleeve cashmere cardigan (in heather algae) and cropped matchstick jeans (in white denim) from J Crew. Player 2: A blonde in a yoga outfit with a golden retriever named Buddha on
the training
“So.” Buddy Alter sits alone, center stage, in a tall chair overlooking the crowd. His gaze oscillates slowly, row-by-row, pausing on each audience member before blinking on to the next. A few confront him like closed fists, oysters waiting to
the training
“So.” Buddy Alter sits alone, center stage, in a tall chair overlooking the crowd. His gaze oscillates slowly, row-by-row, pausing on each audience member before blinking on to the next. A few confront him like closed fists, oysters waiting to
Wait and See
Olympic-sized indoor pools are all the same: A vault echoing with the splash and suck of water, air sharp with chlorine, rubber heads breaking the surface of artificial blue like blind worms threading up and down the lanes. But it’s
Wait and See
Olympic-sized indoor pools are all the same: A vault echoing with the splash and suck of water, air sharp with chlorine, rubber heads breaking the surface of artificial blue like blind worms threading up and down the lanes. But it’s
freedom house
(photo by yistergirl) It was a mammoth Victorian, dingy white, with exes of tape on the windows, three stories plus a basement and an attic no one ever visited. It sat on a line of newer, smaller houses that repeated
freedom house
(photo by yistergirl) It was a mammoth Victorian, dingy white, with exes of tape on the windows, three stories plus a basement and an attic no one ever visited. It sat on a line of newer, smaller houses that repeated
catfish
(photo by placeinsun) They called it a porch, even though it had four walls and a roof like any other room. Ever since Virginia died, he said, he preferred to sleep on the porch, and by the way he shrugged
catfish
(photo by placeinsun) They called it a porch, even though it had four walls and a roof like any other room. Ever since Virginia died, he said, he preferred to sleep on the porch, and by the way he shrugged
resisting the obvious
(photo by room17 on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathyroom17/) The plastic mesh container came with a coupon that read, Redeem this coupon online and we’ll send live caterpillars! But Lola was four and couldn’t read yet so, after tearing through the pink tissue,
resisting the obvious
(photo by room17 on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathyroom17/) The plastic mesh container came with a coupon that read, Redeem this coupon online and we’ll send live caterpillars! But Lola was four and couldn’t read yet so, after tearing through the pink tissue,
girl in the hat 