Robbie and Dane watched the kids playing soccer with a careful eye. It was fine balance between being a fan and a creep, and they wanted to stay on the good side of the equation so they could track all the games each weekend. Dane and Robbie ran a food truck and paid top dollar … Read moreDoing Well by Doing Good
Denson couldn’t put on weight. He was tall and wiry but his pie plate-sized belt buckle weighed nearly as much as he did. “My brother told me I got worms Doc,” he complained. “Maybe from the elk jerky I made last fall. It sorta tasted funny.” “How long have you been skinny?” the doctor asked. … Read moreThe Alternate Path
King Edward improved the lives of his people by keeping the villages safe from marauding thieves, maintained peace with nearby nations, and promoted farming advances that not only increased the land’s yield but planned for storage of food and firewood throughout the winter. The people loved King Edward and the King loved his people. He … Read moreWhen Justice Prevails
Kevin liked to dress sharp. He spent his limited funds on fine, handsomely tailored suits, silk ties, pocket swatches, and only the finest shoes, belts and undergarments. Still in high school he found most of his clothes at thrift stores, able to scour the racks for quality and occasional hand-made finery. He developed a skill … Read moreCivilized Living
The cold made Arnie want to stamp his feet to get some circulation going but knew it might spook his dog Gunther, who was crouched on four feet in the classic pose of a dog taking a shit. He was a mixed breed; some basset hound, probably some chow, maybe some terrier. Gunther was twelve, … Read moreGrowing Comfortable Together
The rocket shuddered as it inched off the launchpad. A spray of liquid fire melted the concrete, splattering molten rock in all directions. “You overloaded it with all your crap,” Dale complained from his seat pointed at the sky. “My crap? You’re the one who had to bring your motorcycle. You’re going all the way … Read moreGolfing on the Moon
The obstetrician told Gladys that her baby was too large. “Based on the scans, it’s twice the normal size. This could lead to some complications,” the doctor warned. “Like what?” a nervous Gladys asked. “The baby could be diabetic, morbidly obese, or grow so rapidly that he’ll be as tall as a man by the … Read moreStuck on You
The truck carrying Jeff hit a corner too fast, causing his would-be coffin to slam against the side of the pickup bed. The impact woke him. He was in the dark, inside what felt like a cardboard box and rattling around like loose change in a cement mixer. The truck left the pavement and turned … Read moreA Mother’s Love
“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?