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
Finster Drummand was nodding off. He was on stage, awaiting the cue for his line. The so-called star of the show Edelle Priceworthy was droning on as she had for three hundred consecutive nights. A pretty face and ample bosom could unfortunately go far in this world. Finster had been in the theatre most of … Read moreA Trick of the Limelight
The name Everlasting Coals was emblazoned on Denton’s fleet of service vans. The vans were wrapped in vinyl decals portraying hot embers in a fireplace. The vans looked like they were made of molten metal, but were supposed to represent a cozy hearth. Denton’s company installed and repaired fireplaces, and the name was consistent with … Read moreWild Things and a Pure Heart
The cow calmly chewed its cud as Morris removed the window from its stomach. The cow lived with many others in a university research lab where new and better food supplements for cattle were developed. This was cow thirty-seven, and like all the other cows she had a portal installed on her side connecting one … Read moreSpecial Ingredients
The marbles had been stolen. Despite questioning from his teacher that implied he had misplaced the marbles Jimmy held his ground. He was the victim of a crime. He had won the marbles fair and square, and somebody had swiped them from the coat closet and he was sure it was Peter. Because Peter was … Read moreFake It Until You Make It Off The Playground
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