My journal of big words and pretty pictures
What came before: A Salt Life Poppy was convinced she had finally succumbed to space sickness. Her long, solitary trek and the loss of her entire crew to the perils of harsh planet exploration broke her spirit and snapped her sanity. It was impossible for a standard-argot speaking human to be standing in front of … Continue reading A homecoming
The story so far... Old Wives' Tale Charles Parker’s drinking was as predictable as night following day. When Lester Branch first pondered how to get rid of the hard-drinking, bad-tempered, wife-beating, child-killing bastard, he counted on the man being drunk when he showed up for work that day. His father, Russell, refused to hire the … Continue reading So shall you reap
The story so far... Old Wives' Tale I looked around the sunny, and welcoming atrium, and thought I’d like to live at Shady Grove one day. I would enjoy the peace and quiet. Forget placing my mother there, she would try to redecorate the comfortable room into another velvet-lined parlor. Marshall paced while I admired … Continue reading Shining a light into the dark
The story so far... "Old Wives' Tale" “Every day I feel like I’m dying inside just a little,” Amelia said. She and Lester sat at a decorous distance from each other on the Carson’s front porch. James and Olivia Carson, Amelia’s employers and surrogate parents, sat at the opposite side of the porch acting as … Continue reading A no-fault state
The story so far... Old Wives’ Tale James Carson huddled with Pappy for a long time after the travelers left the bus. His contempt for Charles was palpable. Amelia was grateful for James’ careful attention to her bag, and Olivia’s welcoming embrace. From Pappy’s bus, James unloaded their belongings. He let Amelia hold her duffle in … Continue reading Tin woman
The story so far… Old Wives’ Tale “This don’t concern you, Roxie,” Roger said. “I don’t even know why you’re here, it’s none of your business.” Roger was on the defensive the minute Marshall and I arrived. He refused to talk about his aunt and became hostile when I told him about discovering the bodies … Continue reading A family matter
Thin spiral notebook 