When you’re stoned, you realize: separate bodies, separate consciousnesses—that’s an illusion. There is only One. We were one with the bus stumbling up the mountainside. My nausea was one with Manisha’s. I wasn’t yet nauseous: not need-a-lime nauseous: but I felt Manisha’s nausea exactly as, soon, I’d feel my own. Soon? Already I was feeling it.… more
Category Archives: FICTION
Apartment 1848
FICTION by Emily Strempler“Early for shift,” it said. “One minute, thirty-two seconds. Twenty-seven hours, fifty-two minutes, and twenty seconds of voluntary overtime have been logged to your account this period. Would you like to volunteer to give up a shift?”… more
Just Breathe
FICTION by Dawn LoweShe leaned over and kissed his purplish hand, the fragile skin bruised by blood tests and IVs. “If I wanted to get rid of you, I‘ve had a few opportunities lately that I didn’t take.”… more
Two Stories
FICTION by Richie ZaborowskeThe truck testicles swung slightly; not for the first time that day Cody regarded them.… more
ZSHTWEET Charity
FICTION by Ben UmayamWhat is her problem. Why doesn’t she go back to the front of the church with the other beggars. Why does she have to ruin our set. She is spoiling it all, spoiling the whole thing. Her with her deformed legs and that whistle.… more
Have a Good Life
FICTION by Robert Garner McBreartyShe stared up at the darkened ceiling and said, I’d prefer it if you’d fought in a war or something like that. You might seem romantic and sad to me then. … more
Thrift Store
FICTION by Anthony KorandaHis skin was tanned like old leather, a childish tattoo of No Fear scrawled across his throat, dancing as his gums flapped. I wondered if they hurt. His gums bouncing back and forth against each other. I closed my eyes while he spoke about drinking malt liquor and riding trains in his younger days. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t picture him with teeth.… more
The Retired Fireman’s Helmet
FICTION by Ellen SantasieroThe retired fireman doesn’t know the helmet smokes. It was easy to hide when they were working, because well, what fireman’s helmet doesn’t smell like smoke? The cat knows though, the ball buster.… more
Idabel Blues
FICTION by Shaun JexIt was a simple job. Just an evening of work and Kenny Stone would be on his way. But nobody gets out of Idabel that easy.… more
Missed Connection
FICTION by David NewdorfI have zero experience with this type of thing, but I think you must be good at it. I didn’t see it coming. One second, I was just standing there. The next, I was experiencing intense sensations. Then you were gone. Probably forever. You left me with a confusing mosh pit of emotions. I’ll never be the same.… more
