As the night draws to a conclusion,this war between us explodes withlandmines, tripping overwires of insecurity,cutting through the tensionof our invention.After consuming red wine,distraught tears flow througha… Read more “Nightfall Truce (Published on Spillwords Press!)”
The Unemployed Catch
I sat over a cigarette and a local newspaper at the kitchen table. I was going over the classifieds. I shifted my notepad and glasses and reached… Read more “The Unemployed Catch”
Sinning in Jeans
I sat in the library over cold coffee and opened books, going over notes for a twelfth-grade biology quiz. I wanted to prove to Mom that I… Read more “Sinning in Jeans”
Righteous Murder
The Rainer Cemetery ash trees had shed their leaves, crunching golden-brown beneath the feet of the funeral attendees. The brisk September breeze hung over Leah’s father’s closed,… Read more “Righteous Murder”
Evicted on Christmas
A forecasted snow-bearing Christmas was three days away. The sun was climbing out of the deep well of winter, but it was still brutally cold. The living… Read more “Evicted on Christmas”
Autumn Gazebo
Guys like me don’t usually do things like this, but I’ve been up since three o’clock, sitting here in the dark, waiting for the brisk October sun… Read more “Autumn Gazebo”
A Robbery On Christmas
It’s Christmas time again. Jodie, who lost her teaching job after budget cuts, is on a mission to buy her kids’ gifts by any means necessary. So… Read more “A Robbery On Christmas “
Who Killed Hannah?
I so have to figure out who killed, no, who murdered Hannah and why, Francis thought, staring eye-level into a half-empty wineglass as though it were her… Read more “Who Killed Hannah?”
Buried Alive
Shannon hated her mother. I didn’t care for the woman either, but I had no reason to see her dead, at least not at first. But Shannon,… Read more “Buried Alive”
Mindy’s Secret
Mindy’s father hated me, especially when he found out we were more than friends. I couldn’t help that I fell in love with his daughter, and she… Read more “Mindy’s Secret”
The Uber Date
Where is she? I glanced at my watch. She should be here by now. I folded my arms across my chest. It’s too cold to be waiting for… Read more “The Uber Date”
Sarah’s Choice: I’m Not Good Enough
I’d been with Sarah for five years, and she was getting anxious, anxious for me to pop the question or move on with her life. And rightly… Read more “Sarah’s Choice: I’m Not Good Enough”
The Weekend Affair
Dan is going through a mid-life crisis, wondering what happened to his relationship with his wife (Tara), and how she hardly notices him anymore. After Tara found… Read more “The Weekend Affair”
Love at a Cemetery
It was the bone-chilling Northwest winter of 1994 when I stood with my shaky hands folded before Granddad’s grave. I stared at his name with a million… Read more “Love at a Cemetery”
The Dating App
My editor liked this short story. Ben and Angie had been friends since they can remember. They told each other everything. Ben would marry Angie, but there’s… Read more “The Dating App”
Caught in the Act
It was the bone-chilling Seattle winter of 1994 when “Breakdown” by Mariah Carey played on Mary’s radio. Outside was a winter wonderland with five inches of snow… Read more “Caught in the Act”
The Angelic Cheater
As I closed the door behind me, the scent of her naked body and cologne, someone else’s cologne, didn’t escape my attention. I raked my fingers through… Read more “The Angelic Cheater”
The Stalker
It was the winter of 1995, and Christmas was three weeks away. I was out with a couple of friends at Mojo’s sports bar. We’d meet… Read more “The Stalker”
Sammy
Becca’s eyes were cold and lifeless as she stared at me. We stood in a crowded hallway, but our eyes locked and all I heard was the… Read more “Sammy”
Dead Body
Anna and Becca, on a road trip through West Virginia, stop for gas, meeting a stereotypical country, hillbilly, who saw too much. Anna physically threatens the clerk… Read more “Dead Body”
Wine From A Dusty Box
Hannah, an arrogant, beautiful high school student, wants to spend the night with Ben (her boyfriend). Ben is an insecure classmate. She lives on the wealthy side… Read more “Wine From A Dusty Box”
I’m Gay, Dad: Anything For Jessica
Mark lives a sheltered life. As the son of a pastor, kids make assumptions about how he can’t watch movies or listen to music. What his friends… Read more “I’m Gay, Dad: Anything For Jessica”
Hannah is a Keeper
The pavement is sizzling with rising heat,and my damp brow reminds me it’s summer.I siphoned enough heartacheto rescue the dead of their broken hearts.I slammed my eyes… Read more “Hannah is a Keeper”
Did you know that children experiencing unresolved trauma find learning more difficult and are more likely to develop learning disorders?
Answer to Did you know that children experiencing unresolved trauma find learning more difficult and are more likely to develop learning disorders? Why is this the case… Read more “Did you know that children experiencing unresolved trauma find learning more difficult and are more likely to develop learning disorders?”
Speaking of Lies
I caught word of disturbing whisperswalking through a ghost town.Their wandering eyes itched their tongues.The devil speaks behind my back,stabbing the plans we madewith murderous intentionsunder cover… Read more “Speaking of Lies”
Wine Tasting Lust
We sipped spiked wine on Bella’s cold basement floor, even though our high school age kept us from purchasing the coolers. Bella broke the seller’s lock with… Read more “Wine Tasting Lust”
Drink & Dash
The bill you can’t pay is with the chickin the short skirt.Don’t be a bitch; tip the waitressCan’t afford it?Sad face.I feel so bad… no, not really.I’m… Read more “Drink & Dash”
Home Without Love
It’s hard to feelwhen nothing inside you is real;they say time will heal;my heart’s got nothing left to conceal;backstroking in a jheelmy aspirations have become surreal.She’s at… Read more “Home Without Love”
Return to Sender
A letter arrived in the mailbox;addressed to someone else.It lacked a return address.The name didn’t ring a bell,but it ended up in my mailbox.Curiosity got the better… Read more “Return to Sender”
Love to Laugh
Alone in a large home, holding a phone,I chuckled at the thought of romance,concealing what she said in bed,but it doesn’t register in my head.My gaze drifted… Read more “Love to Laugh”
My Friend is Romance
I don’t have her yet,but she’d have freckleswith plump lips to kiss if I did.She’d be my height,maybe a little taller.More legs of hers to wrap around… Read more “My Friend is Romance”
Drink Coffee Write 