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Category Archives: Fiction
A Simple Desultory Dystopic
I recall a somber afternoon in January when it all began to fall apart. We knew we were circling the drain, but we didn’t realize just how quickly we would be sucked into the septic tank, that basin awash in … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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Raccoon Encounters
For the second time in just over a week, a raccoon managed to make its way to our back deck, which is at least seventeen feet above the ground. Metal tubes, wrapped around the middle sections of six by six … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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Last Man Down
“On the cusp of my departure, my words are hollow and weak, as I struggle to describe the man I wished I’d been, a speck of the decent man I failed to be. I tried but I failed. I could … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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Snake Sighting
Gwynn Slottman was deathly afraid of snakes. The mere sight of an elongated, limbless reptile sent her into a panic-stricken delirium of the highest order. She screamed, swore, and jumped on chairs and tables. Sweat poured from her brow. Perspiration … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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A Real Memory, Unwelcome but Unchallenged
I’m not sure which of the two of us were more guilty. I suspect it was me, though she could have made the first move. That’s always been the case though, hasn’t it? I was the one who felt unloved … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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Ice
I remember that night when you fell through the ice. You were so sure of yourself. You were such a fool. “No way I’m gonna fall through,” you shouted back at me as I pleaded with you to come back. … Continue reading
Serpent
“What in the name of God is that?” Brenda’s voice hissed, jarring Carl’s attention, as the unexpected sound erupted from behind his left shoulder. “Why do you do that? You startled the hell out of me.” “Sorry. Well, what is it?” … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Uncategorized, Writing
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Clenched
Dangling from a mesquite shrub on the edge of a cliff, nothing below me but sharp rocks a thousand feet below, I reach up for that helping hand that’s not there. It’s dark here on the precipice, dark and lonely, … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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A Diverse Ending
We saw the Earth shudder when the first nuclear blast took place. Though we were only a few hundred miles above Earth, we could tell something ghastly was happening below us. The Earth winced, like a person stabbed with a … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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Who Are We?
Calvin stood motionless as he observed the magnificent beast walk past him, just a few feet away. Apparently, the unicorn did not see Calvin. Otherwise, the animal would have bolted. Instead, it was the picture of serenity as it grazed … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Philosophy, Writing
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Blue Eyes
Her penetrating eyes were talons. Once they had him in their grip, he was helpless. Though he was a victim, he was willing prey. He treasured every glance, every sweep of her eyes across his face. She knew the power of … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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Cars
I drove a car, which my neighbor had borrowed from a friend, to the gas station. Actually, he had traded vehicles with another friend; he had let his friend use his nondescript sedan in exchange for the use of his … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
2 Comments
Seductive Spices
“What the hell are we going to do with three pounds of goat shoulder?” Geneva’s tone revealed her doubts about the gift from Jacob’s friend, Katrina. Jacob flashed a conciliatory grin at her. “You needn’t worry about it, darling. I’ll … Continue reading
The Last Cold Front
“Man, the weather is changing a hell of a lot faster than the models predicted. Two years ago, I was among those saying we wouldn’t see a sea level increase by three feet until 2100.” Angus McCutcheon’s leathery face was … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Uncategorized, Writing
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Distant Broden
Lina waited for Broden to continue. “Oh, he was just so totally in love with life. Why would a man buy a two million dollar car and then kill himself a week later? I mean, it just doesn’t make sense.” … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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Ophira
“If you look long enough and hard enough, you can find things to dislike about almost anyone. But you’d be looking for the wrong things. Instead, you ought to be looking for those shreds of likability hidden among the overgrowth … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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Famine is to Family as Murder is to Mother
Allen Sherman loved his mother. Her maiden name was Achtung. She was of Prussian ancestry, though she was loathe to admit it. She preferred to tell lies, claiming Scottish lineage on her mother’s side, with a direct line to nobility … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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Speaking of Change
“Carvings. Wood carvings. That’s what they are. For a moment, I thought they were paintings. From a distance, it’s hard to see that the pieces are three dimensional. Have you ever done any wood carving? I used to, when I … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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Rebellion
Yesterday was Independence Day, the fourth of July. We spent the day at home, mostly, though I went for a drive in the afternoon. Last night, we watched a few bursts of fireworks from the deck and heard the concussive … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction
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The Strange Story of Selena
Selena was a raccoon aficionado. She collected raccoons the way some people collect cigars. And like people who collect cigars, she periodically smoked some of the raccoons she collected, though not like people smoke cigars. She kept most of her … Continue reading
Posted in Absurdist Fantasy, Fiction, Writing
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Swedish Designs
Lina Lindström’s career in criminal forensics exposed her to what can arise from bungling, blind rage. At the same time, though, she witnessed outcomes created through careful planning and precise execution. Though both approaches led to murder, she often was … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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What’s All the Fracas?
His birth certificate read “Fracas Edward Schlattery, Jr.” According to the document, he was born to Lisa Starling Schlattery, age twenty-six, and Micah Delfino Schlattery, age twenty-three. Fracas Corbett didn’t wonder who his namesake might have been until he reached … Continue reading
Bidding for Worship
Listen carefully to the voice in your head. Listen to its tenor and timbre as it urges you to consider or reconsider aspects of your life you thought had long since been settled. You may not even hear it if … Continue reading
Posted in Fiction, Writing
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Distant Designs
Lina awakened me. I felt her two fingers tiptoe up and down my back, one on each side of my spine. She tread gently at first. With restrained but increasing pressure, she ensured that I was aware of her presence. … Continue reading
Disconnections on Steroids
I spent time this evening trying to create some semblance of order to some of the short fiction I’ve written, including a number of pieces I’ve posted here. My objective is to collect pieces that might reasonably be said to … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Fiction, Writing
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