If I’d known Robert Mueller lived in the neighborhood, my wife, Kat, and I would never have bought this place. Seduced by the real estate agent, who told us that this quiet cul-de-sac was populated by a “bunch of bureaucrats and lawyers” I thought I’d found hog heaven. As a writer, I need peace and …
When I realized the thing might be chasing me, I ducked into a small courtyard. The light was dim. A sticky smell sweetened the air. It wasn’t long before it rolled right by without paying me any attention. Yep, exactly. But it wasn’t just any donut. I mean, yes and no. Your basic chocolate glazed, …
“I know what you’re thinking — I don’t belong here,” Sam speaks to the portrait above the bed as though the woman depicted in it is the central antagonist in his life’s story. She could be a passive-aggressive aunt, or a confrontational spouse he needs some time away from. “You want me to leave? Well, I …
Continue reading “Playing Chicken Eating Crow” By Janie Kronk
Smitty runs a small operation. Not quite a commercial fishing boat like some of the others based along the dock that go out for days at a time. It’d been him and Old Charlie for the longest time. But Old Charlie’s rheumatism had gotten really bad and he’s known in town as a pretty miserable …
Mom was lying on the bed. It was unusual to see her like that; she was always active, restless, a busy bubble of activity. She was on her side, knees bent, with her face in the crook of her elbow. There was a photo album on the pillow. I couldn’t tell if she was asleep. …
“You know if we stare up at the sky too long we’ll float away, right?” “Shut up, Ryan.” “No, really. My Uncle John told me that. He said if you lay on your back and look up at the sky — but it has to be a really clear blue sky with, like, hardly any …
The script reads: “Acquire ecstasy from a homeless man called Static Pete” He’s always happy to see me. … Let me rephrase. He’s always happy to see the wad of cash I have in my hand. But it’s nice to be wanted — even if it’s just by your drug dealer. “Hey, Pete,” I sigh, …
Continue reading “Help Me I’m Drowning” By Taylor Monet Welch
I live in an old building. Jose is our handyman whenever there’s a problem. This time it was termites. Last summer they were a problem too, but my landlord, Jorges, patched it up. That’s all he ever does is patch things up. The termites were back again this summer in mass droppings near one …
Memory’s a tricky thing. You’ve plucked at yours trying to bring forth the melody of your sisters giggling in the morning light, the sound of roosters crowing, and then footsteps at your door to wake you for breakfast. But it tends to be all or nothing so most days it’s safer to ignore the …
In the room, at the building that housed numerous melodies and various sets of floating notes, at the far end of the hall, there was te stuck in the air, suspended in the tension. It had been a crack in the unsteady melody, the one to make the building’s flow of crippling sounds collapse and …
Burnt Pine 