Teddy was typing at top speed–just over ten words per minute. He feared an error that may cause him to start over by melting his block of letters. Fifteen months on the linotype and he was no faster than the day he began, but he seldom made a mistake. In the time he could complete … Read moreOperator Error
Jaunty. Surefire. Full of brass. That’s how people described Clint Burnish. His hair and eyebrows stood straight out as if made of brick clay pushed through a sieve. He bathed once a week, his hair shifting about like an unreliable bird’s nest. Most of the time he wore a golden corduroy suit with a matching … Read moreGift Box
Stories of loose tigers hiding in the Boise foothills had been circulating for decades. Much like the legend of Forrest Fenn’s mystery gold hidden somewhere in the Rocky Mountains, the story captured the public’s attention and slightly improved the economy of any burned-out mill and mining town in the region. Catering to modern gold-rushers, one-pump … Read moreTigers of the Valley
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
Written on 3/17/2011 “Dad, can I have a gun?” asked Thad. “Why do you need a gun?” Thad’s dad didn’t look away from his computer screen. “I need to kill somebody at school.” This got his dad’s attention. He turned around in his chair to face his eight-year-old son. “Why would you want to kill … Read moreGun Play