james Sarah wanted her son to be called Jonathan or John, but never Johnny. She reinforced the idea often, correcting anyone who tried to emasculate her pending baby boy. When asked why this was so important to her, she would say that she was raising a man, not a child. Little did she know that she … Read moreThe Ungrateful Child
Neville and Harriet Turner raised their children in the bungalow and stayed through retirement and death. The property was abandoned, lost in probate limbo: unable to be sold or occupied. Tony noticed the dense screen of overgrown trees and shrubs around the perimeter of the property as he walked between bus stops. The jungle of … Read moreHome Away From Home
Christmas lights wrapped the trunks and limbs of every tree on Mary’s street in lockstep precision. The Homeowners’ Association wielded their will with an iron mitten, promising large fines to anyone not following the strict Decorations Code. One of many Association Bylaw documents, the Decorations Code detailed a list of expected and forbidden holiday decorations, … Read moreBoom Town Lady
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
Bob Schuster had worked at Miller’s Jewelry since it opened in the seventies. At the time it opened, the strip mall was considered state-of-the art retail space. It devolved, as most have, into a jumble of judo studios, gun shops, dollar stores and other low-end retailers. Miller’s still had a large sign with a diamond … Read moreMaking the Better Man
Yuri sat at a metal desk too small for his body. His knees banged against the drawers, the lead paint failing where for decades kneecaps had met metal. To escape his desk, he had to scoot around one side. He was a large man, once considered strapping and athletic, but now droop-shouldered and fat. The … Read moreBetter Off Dog
Ronald lived alone in a cabin abutting National Forest land. He had no electricity, relied on a stream for his water and to cool his beer. His only access for supplies was an unmaintained four-wheeler trail. He used his wood stove for cooking and heat, frying bacon and biscuits on the griddle to start each … Read moreHappy to Meat You