Monthly Archives: September 2012

Word Count:  481 The pact had been Mona’s idea. Said she didn’t want to go on living without him and Ralph thought that was sweet. He resisted but she persisted and he finally agreed. The actual execution of the act … Continue reading →

Word Count:  393 He was unarguably the smartest kid in his class. Though a sixth grader, Steven was probably the smartest kid in the whole school. He loved books more than ball games. He loved math and literature and science. … Continue reading →

Word Count:  501 If you asked him he wouldn’t tell you but he’s afraid of being alone. He’d say he hasn’t “gotten any” in two years since she died. A little laugh, near a snicker. Surely anyone can understand and … Continue reading →

Word Count:  350 There was no heaven nor the hot flames of a hell. Mary believed when people died they lived on in your memory. Her older sister Ruth had been raped and murdered when Mary was twelve. Her mother … Continue reading →

Word Count:  211 He giant-stepped up three steps, hopped back down two. Again and again and again as he made his way up the stairs. He was seven years old and hated going to bed. It took him two hours … Continue reading →

Word Count:  251 When his first child was born, his first son, he was thousands of miles away. Doing the right thing for humanity, helping rebuild a nation torn to strips of thin fragments by civil war. The people, broken … Continue reading →

Word Count:  219 It seemed to be taking forever. Waiting for clearance for liftoff. The hours of delay. The months and final weeks of preparation for this first trip to Mars. He squirmed a bit in his seat. Radioed for … Continue reading →

Word Count:  373 She felt so alone. That deep black widow alone. It was just starting to hit her, the loss. They said it was common. To see him around corners, to feel him still in their bed. She tried … Continue reading →

Word Count:  222 Morning sun cut through the kitchen. She flicked off the radio. Put their empty coffee mugs into the sink. “Where were you?” she asked. “I know where I was. Where were you?” He turned quickly at her … Continue reading →

Word Count:  305 She gets up from the couch and goes upstairs to dig out a sweater. Resists the urge to change cutoffs to long jeans. Makes the bed to avoid creeping back in there and pulling the covers up … Continue reading →