A Series of Astrological Disasters
In January, Melissa’s mother became interested in astrology after meeting a psychic who told her she was close to finding her place in the world. This after twelve cities in twelve years. This at age thirty, with a pre-teen daughter, her mother told her sister over the phone.
Published in Hayden’s Ferry Review–Fall/Winter 2009
*
The Difference Between You and Me
Jeremiah Hartman appeared from the first cafeteria booth and stopped me in the hall. “Come with me,” he said, taking me by the thumb. He led me down the main corridor, past offices and lockers, kids sitting straight-legged against the wall. At the entrance to my first period classroom, Jeremiah Hartman bowed and opened the door. “What’s this?” I asked. He winked. “A good way to start the day.”
Published in Storyglossia
*
Inside Out of You
From the car, I watched you. I watched you thinking I should have been named something as noble as Helen, something as beautiful, as brave. You had everyone—Helen Keller, Helen of Troy, St. Helen. Helen Hunt, like in Girls Just Want to Have Fun, the smart and wild one who knows everything, how to get away with anything. The best I could do was a seal—Sammy the Seal. A children’s book. All flippers and whiskers and funny honks. And even if Sammy had been a girl, like me, no one would of called her Samantha.
Published in Cream City Review – fall 2007 issue
*
Life happens to me in threes: three straight Saturdays with a date; three dates before a woman dumps me. Three tries before I get something right. And always, always, three harrowing back to back disasters before life returns to normal.
Published in Orchard Press Mysteries
*
The Key West P.D. informed me an hour ago that I was the last one to see Ken and Peggy Berger alive. They questioned me, searched my premises, then moved on to the cab. You see, I’m a self-employed cab driver based in Key Largo, but I run anywhere from Homestead to Key West, some one hundred odd something miles apart. Which happened to be my route the morning I picked up the Bergers. Their destination? The Key West Aquarium. That’s where they climbed out of my cab and disappeared into the thick Atlantic air.
Published in Orchard Press Mysteries