It was raining, as usual in November, in the Pacific Northwest. School children didn’t mind. They joyfully jumped into puddles with their yellow, green and red boots. Outside their classroom, the boots lined up in a rainbow of colors below …
My grandmother and I only had one thing in common. A love of books. Reading was the one area in which we connected.
When we cleaned out her house, the only thing I took with me was a box of well-read paperbacks. As I …
Noah’s eyes rose above the covers, scanning his room – stuffed animals lined the far wall, taking on sinister shapes that the night light could not dissolve. Blank eyes stared back, but so long as they remained still he was …
I’m carrying so many bouquets I can’t even open the door to my old beat up car. My boyfriend Max rushes to help me, and we laugh as I dump the flowers, adorned with ribbons and cards, into the back …
When Mason saw me, he knew what I wanted.
“Chicken crack?” he asked.
“Yes. Large container, please.”
And that was all we needed to say. If he saw my hands shaking, he didn’t let on. He …
Pudge says he’s down. It’s the anniversary of his sister’s murder. I drive him to In & Out for a Double-Double animal style, Bro! and some fries, also animal style. He adds a vanilla shake at the window (string …
“You’re crying.”
“I can’t reach mom and dad. They’re not answering. Not their cell or their landline.”
“Honey, we knew it was going to happen. Down there, close to the equator like they were: the electricity probably went off for …
A hand jostles his shoulder, breaking study of the gallery floor. Parquet that’s tan, five panels per square, teams of four, repeated, repeated more. Mrs. Hill leans close.
“The subject is ahead, Richard.”
He lets his head rise, keeps the …
So you’ve woken up in the morning, brushed your teeth, ate some cheerios, kissed your spouse goodbye, lifted your briefcase and opened the door to leave for work six minutes early to avoid morning traffic. You’re heading down the driveway, nudging …
Bob waves to Ken and George as he steers his boat away from them toward Hooker’s Cove. They are going after big pike but he wants Diablo. That walleye had eluded him and Joe for years but this year he …