I did a lot of things. I was a drunk and a meth head, she said. I’m better now. Not perfect but better. You know what it’s like. I do, I said, but I never wanted to touch a child.… more
Category Archives: FICTION
Goldschmidt’s Gift
FICTION by David SheskinBy this point in time his tennis game had degenerated into little more than an ill-conceived, albeit skillful, vendetta, the intent of which was to extinguish as many members of the human race as possible.… more
A GRACEFUL ESCAPE
FICTION by Magda PhiliShe took another long stressful sip from her drink and clanked the glass on the table. It could be seconds before her wrath exploded according to her husband’s prediction. But she didn’t stay. Instead, she fled to the attic and to the only world that made sense to her.… more
The Masks at McCarthys
FICTION by Gregg WilliardIt seemed to me that there was an imprint of a lost me on the inside of a certain, special mask. A me that wasn’t lost and afraid. Could I find the right mask? Maybe it didn’t exist, and maybe there was no me to find at all.… more
CAN WE STOP WITH ALL THE HITLER?
FICTION by Kurt BaumeisterYou have to love the Germans, their national sense of humor at least. One part British stodge, one part French aloofery, they’re unmoved by the banal jokes Americans love. But give them a hulking sexecutioner in black polythene and a Hello Kitty mask, and they’ll yuck it the fuck up.… more
DOOM’S DAY
FICTION by Anthony LandiciniI observe my multiscreened supercomputer slave away at its latest task I programmed for it: creating the most authentically erotic images of that flattop super mermaid Richard’s pet seems to adore so much. It is one of civilization’s great mysteries why that gorgeous creature doesn’t disappear from that plastic man’s grasp and be the much-desired queen for that fish man.… more
Deerhead
FICTION by Kate Arden McMullenWe all had dead people in our lives. We all had mamas, or somebody anyway, who told us that we would be with them again one day. I thought maybe that’s what funerals are for. So we can all be together believing the dead were all together, somewhere nice.… more
A Ridiculous Man: June 1996
FICTION by J. Haase VetterThe list always started with Acorn; that was one of the rules. For Linda, an acorn perfectly represented nature: clean lines, so compact. Roger liked how they reminded him of aroused nipples, taught and hard. Irresistible.… more
The Continuing Waltz of Obie P. Michaels
FICTION by John CrawfordThe Great Observationist is thinking about how when it comes, the headache will flatten him, but not as much as the dullness. About how the only thing worse than the headache and the dullness is the fear of never feeling anything again. About how withdrawal is an artistic mandate.… more
Back Seat Surprise
FICTION by M.E. ProctorMax didn’t care much for the poke in his heart when he looked at the boy, or the moisture in the corner of his eyes, or the hitch in his breathing, as if inhaling was a disturbance. There were no innocents in Max’s universe, only wolves and what they fed on.… more
