We 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
Category Archives: FICTION
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
Good Morning Person
FICTION by M.A. BoswellAside from saying odd catchphrases and singing random song lyrics, Andrew didn’t actually know how to functionally talk or have real conversations, he only said the same things over and over: the doughnut thing, lines from retro movies, choruses from heavy metal songs. It was like he was afflicted by lyrics and puns and corporate taglines.… more
CONFESSIONS OF A NARCISSIST AND HER PREY
FICTION by Lina MarinoI was on the verge of cataclysmic change. Supercharged. I sense things. Horse in a storm.… more
BULLSHIT YOU CAN TASTE
FICTION by Frank ReardonFather Manchette took a yardstick across my ass in front of the entire class. Sister Agnes poked my arms until little bubbles of blood popped up from my skin. “The deeds you do may be the only sermon people will hear today.” I repeated those words walking up and down Dorchester Avenue until Jesus unzipped the sky and turned on the lights.… more
Range Balls
FICTION by Austin BlazeCurt Schilling had bled through his sock, Michael Jordan had battled through the flu, Kerri Strug had stuck it to the Russians on a bum ankle. If Sam sincerely aspired to have his moisture-wicking quarter-zip hung in the proverbial rafters, he would have to overcome adversity.… more
Three Stories
FICTION by David GalefPeople think I killed my octogenarian dad on Father’s Day, but that’s not true. It was the day after. In my dreams.… more
The Summer of All Things Family
FICTION by Jeff KarrThe sky was white like withering parchment. I was pacing and sweat-slicked, sunscreen burning my eyeballs. I had a choice: be a normal man with freakish tendencies or a freakish man with normal tendencies. The former, I thought, was harder to forgive.… more
