My journal of big words and pretty pictures
When I agreed to meet him, it was with the precondition that I consume a tranquilizing amount of aperitif. My third watermelon lemonade mojito arrived with him. His disapproval was as sour as my drink, and I didn’t care. As he slowly sat down, I couldn’t help but notice his receding hairline and substantial paunch. I … Continue reading Happy hour
From the hollow, looking up at Hog Ridge Mountain at night, the faint glow from Lottie’s lantern was always visible. It was easy to lose the flickering among the fireflies, but then you realized one glow wasn’t moving Her pa made her sit outside when she wanted to read, but only after dark when she finished all … Continue reading Bookworm
“Hooligan!” The old man, almost bent in half by age, yells at us as we pass his house. “Get off my lawn!” His lawn is tuffs of persistent weeds pushing up through cracks in the sidewalk. He stands in front of an abused recliner that fills up most of his rusty, iron balcony. Hanging precariously over the … Continue reading For want of a horse
Previously: "I know who you are, who you really are Noone." Duncan watched for Agatha's reaction. When she didn't flinch, he continued. "You know how old women tell children stories about monsters to make them behave? I already knew about monsters. My nanny told me about you, to give me hope." Duncan handed Agatha's rosary … Continue reading Blood orange sun
Wednesday and Saturday mornings we'd walk to the 7-Eleven with Momma to buy $5 worth of Quick-Picks, and if she had extra laundry money, a $2 Powerball ticket. On the way home, us kids would play "when we win the lottery," taking turns calling out what we wanted to buy with all our money. Pete … Continue reading Prize patrol
“We have some unfinished business,” he said. “You didn’t fulfill your part of the contract.” Keeping a demure distance between us, I sat beside him on the bench. “I want to renegotiate my terms.” He put his sunglasses back on, then slapped his thighs before standing up. I jumped at the smacking sound. It wasn't … Continue reading Host for hire
Thin spiral notebook 