Aftershocks

fire place last thing standing

Heavy aftershocks rocked Somerdale south to Bishop Hills, rattling windows, and cracking sidewalks. Red Olsburg prowled the streets in his heavy-duty, dually pickup using his city council ID to get him access to closed roads and highways. He was looking to claim his share of disaster spoils. What the earthquake didn’t destroy, the residual tremors … Continue reading Aftershocks

Daily chores

broken seashell

I go through the motions without thought. It is all so routine, so mundane. Monday is the kitchen, Tuesday is bathrooms, Wednesday is laundry. There are no highs or lows, days pass without excitement, without emotion. They tell me it will get better, that my grieving is a gift. I am to use it wisely, … Continue reading Daily chores

Daymare

traffic tunnel

The recliner was pushed so far back that its occupant’s head was lower than his feet. He gripped the armrests to keep from sliding off onto the floor. “Are you sure you’re comfortable?” Dr. Holman sat in an adjacent chair, debating with himself whether to toss some of the couch cushions beneath Cyril’s head, lest … Continue reading Daymare

Down in flames

flaming flower

Goodwood Duxford tales… Sparks bloomed where his incendiary words dropped to the ground, erupting in tiny bursts of orange, red, and gold, searing a path through the tall grass. Heat trailed after him, a tsunami of shimmering wildfire in his wake. Harlan Beaumont’s nefarious nature, a residual natal nuance, was a family trait that had … Continue reading Down in flames