Quietning Man by Sheldon Lee Compton
What helps is to have a total lack of curiosity. That’s what he told them. It was the first time in seven years he had said more than a single word in response to someone. [...]
short story
The Heart Is an Organ on Fire by Sheldon Lee Compton
Tracy had sensed Bruce was different but had been too interested in his company to see any sign of it early on. The church carpenter shook her hand, the last load of old [...]
Grocery List by Elizabeth Bolton
There is, here in my hand, a small blue rectangle of grocery list like the looping invitation to a banquet that awaits and my finger pads press it rumpled and wet. You step, [...]
Shake Loose by Claire Stamler-Goody
Adam used to love his phone. He carried it everywhere and every time it buzzed, he melted. He fidgeted whenever the battery ran low. The phone, which had three different [...]
Observer Effect by Jenya Doudareva
Sparrows flying close to the ground means that it will rain. Sparrows bathing in sand means that it will rain. Is that how it goes? The meteorologist on TV says that there is [...]
Our Man by Meg Pokrass
This week our stunted man hobbles around the house wearing fluffy, taped-together slippers. It appears as if he has broken a toe. Last week, he was a braying like a donkey, [...]
Dark Cloud by Jenya Doudareva
He hid inside Nimbostratus Gardens. Heavy damp smell of vegetation filled his throat and made his glasses foggy. For a gracious minute he was alone and unseeing, navigating [...]
The Wall of Hearts Desire by Donna Lynn Marsh
I always wanted a wall. Actually, I wanted four. They hold roofs really well and who among us doesn’t want a roof over one’s head? I’ve dreamed of stone and brick [...]
Colossal by Ruth Daniell
“Aren’t you going to say anything?” Paul ignores the question. Instead, he glances down at the coffee-table that Mel insisted on buying two years ago: polished dark [...]
Patty Ahoy by Cezarija Abartis
Patty walked in stiffly and dropped her bookbag by the coffee table. Her eyes were red from crying. I put aside my waitress’ uniform with the button I was sewing on it and [...]
A Series of Controlled Explosions By David Haight
Evelyn sat at the kitchen table the tiny hands of her tiny body wrapped in supplication around her coffee cup and never once looked at her husband of thirty-nine years. This [...]
On Balancing On A Steel Girder by Jacob Aiello
Have you seen those photographs of the shirtless men balancing on steel girders thousands of feet above New York City? Yes. They look like they’re relaxing in a lawn chair [...]
A Frosty Laburnum Morning While Listening To Duck Stab! by David R Miller
Mildly stoned, with my elbows supported by the back deck railing, I leant forward toward the expanse of unmown lawn that shaped the rear yard. The grass was taller, and it [...]
What She’s Made Of by Vincent Anioke
Stacey came over today. Her pink hair ribbon was gone, replaced by a sort of butterfly comb that raked through her auburn tufts. I felt the outline of the comb, my fingers [...]
Flesh and Blood by Stuart Snelson
They would only be staying one night, of that he had been assured. He didn’t begrudge them their visit, at such short notice as it was, but was unsure how best to occupy [...]
Vending Machine Press 