Howard closed the front door behind him and headed to the bedroom. He slipped off his loafers and slacks, and hung the carefully folded pants on a varnished hanger. Still donning his black socks, he padded to the kitchen to mix a vodka and tonic: two ice cubes, a jigger and a half of vodka, … Read moreSubstitute Violence
“Just relax.” “I don’t want to relax.” “Injuries are worse if you’re tense.” “What injuries?” “Look, just try to relax and you’ll have a better time.” Andrew was trying to get calm his brother Chad before his first downhill long board ride. It was dawn at the top of Bogus Basin Road and the other … Read moreFree Falling
Bill shook the lingering crumbs from his Cheetos bag, mostly missing his mouth. He was picking them out of his beard when someone approached his table. “Is that genuine?” “Yup. The real deal,” Bill replied, knocking the final day-glow orange crumbs from his lap. “Can I hold it?” “Only if you pay the deposit.” Bill … Read moreIn the Valley of the Sun
“We have to stop. We can’t just keep wandering around in this heat,” Jennifer said. “But the trail has to be right here. We only stepped off it for a second,” Alice replied. Alice and Jennifer’s adventure to Craters of the Moon had turned into a frantic search for the trail they lost. To get … Read moreWalking on the Moon