I awoke to a prick on my arm. The sun rays slicing through the blinds as I blinked into the new day. I heard his little footsteps before I caught the sheared hair of his head. "Teddy, is that you?” He rose with an early morning smile. It might’ve been sweet were it not for... Continue Reading →

Sometimes I can get Dad to talk about her. Usually, it’s when he’s drunk or well on the way—that rosy time of night when his cheeks flush and his tongue loosens. He’ll set his guitar on his knee, sit back, sweep his thick, curly hair to one side and his eyes will travel back with... Continue Reading →

Tre sat on the trainer’s table, in the shadow of his grandfather’s broad shoulders. His boots dangled freely, swallowing up his scrawny legs, but there was a slugger’s stare in his eyes. Thomas wiped at his grandson’s brow, then scooped up his fists. A drip in a dark corner near the lockers kept time like... Continue Reading →

Are you there Margaret? It’s me, Vern. You’ll have to excuse my handwriting, I’m cramping up something terrible today. Not much has changed here. The crows are still at it, staking claim to the feeder. And I got into with Miss Cooper again. All I was doing was stamping down the mole hills in her... Continue Reading →

*My entry for the Bloggers' Bash writing competition*   Many guests arrived for dinner. I shucked oysters, kept the fire, cooked, and made pies. Mrs. Wilks stayed near, in the way, hawking over her ingredients. Serving the courses, it was lively with song and laughter. In the spirit, I allowed myself to smile. “Oney?” Mrs.... Continue Reading →

“I certainly don’t feel like I’m the same as everybody else.” “What are you, Charley Brown? Come on Garrett.” We were on the hill behind the school, where only a sagging chain-link fence cordoned us off from the blur of passing cars, trucks, commerce, and society in general. Molly lay back, oblivious to dirt or... Continue Reading →

The ice water dribbled down Amelia’s palm, over her wrist and snaked down the inside of her forearm. She wiped her arm on her side, eyeing the  point of the safety pin in Karissa’s hand. “Amelia, relax,” said Julie. “You’re going to faint.” “I’m fine,” Amelia said. She blinked, smiled, she swallowed dry. She reached... Continue Reading →