“Are you sick?” the boy asked Robert. “I had an accident, so now I live in a wheelchair,” Robert replied. “Why?” the boy asked. Robert had spent years pondering that very question. Why was his neck snapped at the age of twelve? Why had his mother escaped the accident with only a broken wrist? Why … Read moreBack to Normal
Ned and Barry looked out over Ned’s backyard as the Fall leaves gradually twirled to the ground. “Why are robots replacing humans?” Ned asked. “Because they don’t get tired or sick, they don’t have kids or spouses, they don’t need insurance … the list goes on and on,” Barry replied. “So, if you could make … Read moreWhy Did The Man Cross the Line?
Roger was having a difficult time keeping the sweat out of his eyes. The helmet he wore to give his drone commands blew cool air across his scalp but it wasn’t enough. He worried the sweat would short something and the mission would fail like so many others. “Focus,” he told himself. “Be the bee.” … Read moreTo Bee Or Not To Bee
Tony pushed back against the headrest, the dry leather upholstery creaking slightly from the pressure. He’d been driving for hours and was restless. He’d rolled the window up and down, talked to himself, fiddled with the radio but the stations quickly fuzzed into static. He thought of stopping to stretch his legs but didn’t want … Read moreThe New You
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
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
An avalanche of primary-colored balls bounced vigorously along multiple chutes emptying into a non-stop stream of shipping containers. The technology of these playthings gave them a never-ending happy shine and when held were firm like a racquetball. On impact they became soft and pliable, but would quickly firm up, and be ready again for play. … Read moreEating Healthy
Originally written on 2/12/2011; rewritten and reposted 9/10/2017 Joel hadn’t had a good idea in some time. His blood-seeking wasps were rejected by the military. His cabbage-fueled car got excellent mileage but the odor of farts inside the car was overwhelming. His proposal for a three-legged horse, which he pointed out, would offer improved stability, … Read moreHide and Seek