The searchlights from the guard towers were yet not lit, and in the blue of twilight, the garden looked like a tiny village. Bridges of desert wood crossed a shallow pond, connecting sandy peninsulas that stuck out into the water like rounded chins. A squat gazebo sat stoically above a thicket of cattails, standing careful guard over the many rows of watermelon, daikon, and lettuce.
Stories
Maddie
A selection from a group of shorts I’m currently working one. My interest is compiling a collection of intense life defining moments through the lens of fiction. Intentionally abrupt, disruptive, and thought provoking in 1000 words or less.
A Narrow Bridge by Avital Gad-Cykman
I’ve sang this ancient song in moments my mouth started singing on its own, and I listened with interest to learn what would come out of it.
Gravity by Phebe Jewell
When I tell him autumn tastes like apples, he brings me a bright red delicious the next day, pressing it into my hand without a word.
The Tattoo by Michael Clark
Shanika had known him since she was 12. She always thought that she hated him.
Transit and Transients: Las Vegas
A familiar face entered the bus, bending like a willow tree reaching for water. Reaching into his boot, he pulled out a wad of bills, slipping a $20.00 into the fare machine. “Gimme a day pass and keep the change.”
Blue
I just saw Dr. Mason. Now I know. It’s all happening too fast. Just two weeks ago, I finished training for our town’s Volunteer Fire Department. That’s when we got a call. My first. A house on fire. Neighbors said there were still people in there. We went in as best we could through the […]
A Portrait of Love
I take Mother’s picture to the dinner table every night. She smiles, still happy. I speak of my sister Nancy and Dad. Nancy’s writing. My mastering a Tchaikovsky waltz.
The chicory kid
The chicory kid If it would get your attention, I could tell you that the boy in question wore colors and spoke street English. His death, while tragic, is part of the American argot, just the latest Indian who has duly given up his land. Deep in our psyche is a man who settles disputes […]
GNAW
Paul wasn’t sure he could eat the hand of a fellow human being, but he was dying…. He took out the pocket knife with frost bitten fingers. Opened it. Held her hand a long time. Her flesh was pale. The painted fingernails looked like bloody claws. He shuddered. He definitely would avoid the fingernails. Still […]