Christmas in the Share-house By Mandy Partridge I spent fifteen years celebrating Christmas in share-houses around Brisbane, Australia. As a poor student, I rented rundown Queenslanders with two, three or four friends, so I could still afford food after rent and bills. I rode my bicycle to uni, work or the grocery shop, and that was pretty much the extent of my … [Read more...] about Christmas in the Share-house by Mandy Partridge
Stories
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The Last Road Trip by Megan Denese Mealor
The Last Road Trip by Megan Denese Mealor We wheeled to Savannah in your mutated, maladroit Mazda, its swarthy skeleton palpitating, drumming rigorous ramshackle limbs, venting vapor into the voguish March violet. My crimson cowhide valise was corrupt with jalapeno vodka, white oak whiskey, bourbon clarified from Kentucky chimeras. Your risky rucksack … [Read more...] about The Last Road Trip by Megan Denese Mealor
Driving the Loop by J.M. McNeely-Kirwan
Driving the Loop by J.M. McNeely-Kirwan Manny drove through the night on a narrow highway that curved constantly to the right, threading its way through a forest. The trees hung low over the tarmac like they wanted to take back every square inch. It felt like this night had lasted for a thousand years, as if he'd seen the same trees and abandoned towns countless … [Read more...] about Driving the Loop by J.M. McNeely-Kirwan
Panic Attack 2 by Romana Capek
Panic Attack 2 Gray morning. The clouds did not lift as the forecast had predicted. I spent a sleepless night because I drank a cup of a strong black tea earlier in the evening. I look at my watch on the nightstand; it shows nine o’clock. I am cold and trying to get warm under a lightweight summer blanket. My husband is awake in a twin bed across from mine and wants to know … [Read more...] about Panic Attack 2 by Romana Capek
Life With You by Kristina Pudlewski
Life With You by Kristina Pudlewski It was December 23rd, only two days before Christmas. Children play outside in the snow and families rush into stores to get last minute items for their holiday gatherings. But I am in the hospital with you, Max, my love. You were on a delivery for work when an SUV crashed into you, sending you 30 feet down 1st Avenue. Leaving … [Read more...] about Life With You by Kristina Pudlewski
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
The Gift of the Magi One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And sixty cents of it was in pennies. Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher … [Read more...] about The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
Ghostwriter by Jennifer Vanderheyden
Steven was placing ant traps around the house when his wife Sylvia returned. “Why kill the ants?” “It’s unsanitary,” he replied; “especially in the kitchen.” “I thought I would pick up some props for our Halloween costumes.” She handed him a small bag: “Open it carefully!” Steven ripped open the bag and pulled out a small book. “I’m dressing up as myself? A … [Read more...] about Ghostwriter by Jennifer Vanderheyden
The Witch and the Till
I looked for the ‘Ten items or less’ checkout. This one read ‘Four items only,’ so I joined the queue. “I will knock on your door,” said the young checkout operator, looking at me—past three other customers. She was wearing a witch costume. She swiped the food item over the scanner. Beep. She put her head down, face hidden under her hat. “On Halloween … [Read more...] about The Witch and the Till
Susanna’s Little Ghost
It started with a clock that was facing just slightly the wrong way. Of course, I didn’t think of it like that until much later. At the time I was sleepy and confused because the streetlight outside glinted off the clock’s shiny plastic surface and I couldn’t see what time it was. I swiveled it to face me. 6.30am. Dylan was asleep beside me and the alarm would ring … [Read more...] about Susanna’s Little Ghost
Double Shift By P.D. Williams
Double Shift By P.D. Williams I’m very passionate about the exciting work I get to be a part of each day here at the cloning lab. Everything about it always seems new to me. Mans’ seemingly god-like ability to create life from little more than a strand of DNA and a few tiny cells has intrigued me for a very long time. This job gives me a front-row seat to the whole … [Read more...] about Double Shift By P.D. Williams
