If marriage taught him anything, it was that he knew when his wife was upset. His problem, however, was that he never knew what she was upset about.… Continue Reading
He hates this about Beardy Man, always making plans without him. These decisions need careful planning. Not only that. They are best friends. Supposed to do things together. And here he is, making big decisions. So independent, so annoying.… Continue Reading
The extra button appeared on Toma’s shirt on a Monday so ordinary it was making his teeth hurt. The button was identical to all the others in everything except for one thing: it had no corresponding buttonhole. This fact bothered Toma the most.… Continue Reading
Neighbor’s dog was sniffing in my yard today & after a quick transvestigation, it was obvious she used to be a man, so I re-tie the belt on my robe, mutter a quick prayer to the twin towers just like they taught me at school. I mean, shit man, I have kids.… Continue Reading
No bravado. No jeering. Just you under the hot sun realizing God ain’t doling out mercy that day. Only pain as currency for community. There’s no ego death without blood and suffering.… Continue Reading
How did his “moving girl” 3-year-old turn into a 17-year-old who never leaves her bed for whole days? He thinks partly there’s a thousand different reasons for that, thinks partly there’s no reason at all, just something that happened organically and can’t be explained.… Continue Reading
The kid sets the ring back down on the counter. He looks down at his sneakers, unwilling to make eye contact. “I just need some quick cash. But I’ll be back, yeah, maybe as soon as next week, to buy back that ring.” He takes a deep breath, scratches at his arm.… Continue Reading
He picked up a strip of bacon and dragged it through the yolk until it bled. He took a bite and let himself enjoy it. For a moment, he quit thinking about failure and divorce and dead-end towns. Just ate his breakfast like a man with nowhere else to be.… Continue Reading
It was a tragedy of what-if’s: a lifeline not particularly interrupted but partially rubbed out to continue as what? a sideshow always placed on the peripherals and pitied? He wanted a girlfriend and wore this search like his disability wore him.… Continue Reading
Of all of the food and treats Kelso had eaten in his nearly thirteen years, the one thing we had never given him was chocolate, but on this, his final day, he partook. He loved it, of course. It’s fucking chocolate.… Continue Reading