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
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
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
There was no vibration at all. It was as if the train was still parked at the station. The magnets flipped on and pulled the train unimpeded by friction. It had to speed up gradually lest the g-force suck the iPhone from everyone’s hands. Lester couldn’t get out of Kyoto fast enough; even 350 miles … Read moreBored Game
Oil lamps flickered near doorways, on tables and around the bar. The damp cedar sawdust on floor had a sweet and sour quality to it as it mixed with spilled beer, spit, and manure tracking in from the street. The blubber that once insulated great sea creatures now gave a squat lamp an orange flame … Read moreLooking for Mr. Goodbones
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
The ground was so hot that Ronnie’s shoes were smoking, and his leather soles as black as charcoal. Regular rubber-soled boots would have melted like a Nazi in an Indian Jones Movie. He had to keep moving and doing his modified version of the Hokey-Pokey or suffer shoe ignition and have to body roll his … Read moreMoonlight is a Burning Light