Mesh whistled a tune as he wheeled the can out to the alley behind the restaurant. He hoisted the bag of slop and slung it over into the dumpster. It landed with a thud and he started back inside. “Hey Mesh.” He looked up. “Oh, hey Brooke. Are you uh, okay?” She blew a cloud... Continue Reading →

My own family thinks I’m cursed. I’m not. Sure, I have an uncanny knack for accidents. I once gave myself a black eye while clipping my toenails. I’ve nearly ruptured an ear drum trying to put a shirt on. If there’s something to knock over, into, break, spill, tangle, fumble, flop, snap, crack, or scramble,... Continue Reading →

A bowling league. The way Carla saw it, getting ripped on Tuesday night in the guise of a “league” was just another way of calling her a fancy shade of stupid. And Carla wasn’t stupid. Carla was tired. For one, she worked all the damn time. And when she wasn't working, she was cleaning up... Continue Reading →

The lobby of the Westminster Academy holds the aroma of stale cigars, popcorn, and a tingle of generously applied body spray. Its marble floors and stone walls capture all that transpire under the arched ceilings, so I can both hear and smell Charles Vanderbrooke long before he gives me a playful shove. “Nice jacket, Finn.”... Continue Reading →

I'm prepping myself for dinner with Dad when I locate the black Nissan Altima by the curb at the train station. Logging into my SlideRyde app, I tap the digits on my phone. The car bleeps and the doors click and unlock. Sure, I could have called and had my father pick me up like... Continue Reading →

Every room was cleaned, tagged, and ready for tomorrow’s estate sale. Paul had taken off earlier to catch up with old friends. Now Sarah was sitting on the kitchen floor, tying shoes and gathering toys, readying the little ones for dinner at the restaurant. She was tugging on a sock when she looked up. “Are... Continue Reading →

Hagler had never needed much training. He was naturally smart yet low-key and without much inclination for chasing squirrels or capturing his own tail. A brisk, morning walk, maybe a few sniffs and scents before business, and Hagler was ready to curl up and nod off. Hagler loved nothing more than napping in the shafts... Continue Reading →

It was Sunday evening and the Coach’s Corner talk show was on in Dad's truck. I was beat, my shirt soaked to my skin, streaked orange from digging all day in the red clay. I wasn’t sure I could take much more of Dad’s high school pep talk. I could only think about Lia. This... Continue Reading →

I smacked the arm of the chair, watching a thick cloud of dust particles float into the sunlight. Jill glanced up from her place in the yard where she was sorting through Mom’s clothes. I wasn’t surprised that Mom had kept my father’s chair, but that it still held the scent of tobacco, metal, and... Continue Reading →