Traveling Mexico has its own challenges. So why do I always want to crank the danger up to 11?… more
Tag Archives: family
One Bird In-Hand is Worth Ten in the Bush
FICTION by Michael HammerleMy grandma was glaring at Trixie’s fixings willing her to lie in the neat bed she’d made. Pearl was lying on her back with that piece of wood in her mouth. She was dusty and had her straw bedding stuck to her in small patches, some on her underbelly. All of her paws were outstretched to the sky. She was letting the piece of wood fall from her mouth and recatching it. Trixie’s phone was face-up flat on the dining table. The phone rang and we all looked to her expecting it to be Croker. Trixie quickly silenced it. … more
Marriage Laundry
FICTION by Mahdis MarzooghianSam was teetering underneath that fragile leave-stay threshold. She had to make it just past that…… more
This Is Not A Toy!
FICTION by Kristen M. PloetzIt’s when Mitch brings her to Barry and Minnie’s 14th Annual Grillin’ & Chillin’ Cookout that Barry begins to covet. A childish craving, the kind that happens when another’s new plaything renders yours boring and lame and obsolete. He takes her in from behind mirrored shades. The way she laughs at their dumb jokes, like… more
Sometimes The Air Stills
FICTION by Chris Di PlacitoA boy under the cancerous spell of his abusive father. A town under the deprived grip of misogyny and violence. Both stunted and silenced with fear.… more
Somewhere Without Trees
FICTION by Jordan FennellNo one broke Jesus’ legs, but someone made Him bleed. … more
Dropping Dimes
FICTION by Chloe N. ClarkThere was barely anyone on the highway. Tony felt it was a mixed blessing: he wanted to need to pay attention, to not think about things other than working within the flow of traffic, but he also wanted to get there quickly. He remembered something a teammate, Liam, had once told him: to be good,… more
Fly Away Home
FICTION by Joseph Allen CostaThere was purity and punishment to fighting and a release valve at the end of his fists.
OR…
Sometimes birds lose their way or have an accident.
Sometimes they become victims of predators.… more
The Silence of Small Rooms
FICTION by Jesse SalvoThe elevator is full to bursting. Intolerably hot is how you would describe it, if pressed. Wall to wall. Elbow meet elbow. You’re eyeballing the orderlies and patients and visitors all around you, trying to dead-reckon their weight and then compare to the oxidated inspection plaque that lists the elevator’s carrying capacity as Max 4… more
Many Ways to Find Out
FICTION by David BiddleI might have let timidity be my guide had Hannie not started in with her Saturday sojourns. She just started disappearing. I would be in the backyard mowing the lawn or moving boxes into the attic. I would return to the kitchen for something or to make lunch and she would be gone.… more
