Stories
Sea Trials
The sea was calm despite the forecast of a fifteen-knot easterly breeze. The three- to five-foot swells predicted from the rising wind would be perfect ...
The Truth of the Matter
“The truth of the matter is, I don’t blame her.” The slurred voice startled me, spoken directly in my ear. I jerked and turned, ...
Mr. G
Frank joined the Army after Pearl Harbor, because that’s what young men from New Hampshire did. A bonus was escaping the rotten odor of ...
Fabulous
The iridescent gravmobile glided up to my porch. I jumped in. “Okay, Cindy, I’m ready. Let’s go!” While Cindy elevated the vehicle into the ...
Sharp Money
“Hit him again.” The roundhouse blow exploded on my jawbone. Cold pain radiated to my eye and neck. I hung my head, drool and blood ...
Poor Aunt Tillie
One day the mailman found Aunt Tillie’s house wide open with no sign of her. It was bitter cold, yet all the doors and windows ...
The Faceless Man
A cloud of dust enveloped Sharon as she stood motionless at the entrance to the old silver mine. After several seconds the rocky rubble ceased ...
Fetch
“Nice one, Curt!” Curtis grinned broadly, holding up a three-pound lake trout. The 14-year-old redhead possessed a sixth sense for catching fish. I swore ...
Four-Letter Words
It was a perfect day to fly, with a brilliant sky and favorable winds. The Cessna 150 flew like a magic carpet. I locked onto ...
Extenuating
“Just get on with it, Tony!” the detective said. “Tell me what happened at the restaurant tonight.” “Okay, okay. But it started long before tonight, ...
When All Else Fails
George Condike saved a lot of lives in World War II, but he never wore a uniform. The year was 1944. Our flyboys were dying. ...
Claim for Damages
My phone rang and I answered, “Hello, this is Jack.” “Hello, Mr. Thompson. This is Angela Meriwether at Apex Insurance. I want to chat with ...
Headache
The desert horizon shimmered like it tends to do in mid-August. I had been patrolling I-15 all day, stopping revelers between LA and Vegas. The ...
Heebie-Jeebies
A miasma of urine, feces, and death wafted around us. “Mr. Hawkins, are you in there?” Ringing the doorbell again, I yelled louder. “Mr. Hawkins! ...
The King is Dead
The man known as the Elephant, if man he was, crept through the old city. Thick clouds obscured the planet’s two moons, deepening the nighttime ...
Seeing Red
The airlines canceled dozens of flights that day due to Hurricane Irma. The tiny airport on St. Bart’s teemed with stranded travelers, their frustrations mounting ...
Escape from Reality
Something was wrong. I should have been awake by now. I should have been back at DreamScape getting dressed and settling my bill. But I ...
Gringo
A bang shattered the sultry afternoon. I spun around, scanning the parking lot. Twenty yards away a white pickup truck stood at an awkward angle, ...
Any Dang Fool
Any dang fool can punch cows on a ranch, he mused. Sure, the man needed skills. He had to ride, mend fences, and brand calves—but ...
Whipped Cream
Maria sighed. “I really love Doug,” she said, as she dreamily stared at the bartender. Maria was attractive in a wholesome, earthy way—not skinny like ...
Old Man Brennan
The boys in our neighborhood hated Old Man Brennan. There were seven of us. Robby, being the oldest, naturally felt like he should be in ...
Wrong Turn
My heart sank as we turned the corner. “That’s the truck?” “Yup.” Tommy beamed with unadulterated pride. “You said it needed a little work.” The ...