It had rained the night before and all the world looked like it had been bedazzled with a million Swarovski crystals. The sweet petrichor of the last evening’s shower was heady to the point of distraction. As I walked around the shoreline, dewdrops clung to my coat embellishing my unadorned clothing with their iridescent brilliance. … Continue reading An unlikely tale
Tag: Lies
Party line
The incessant whine of the overhead power lines set her nerves on edge. It was as if a surge of electricity traveled across the wire, down the creosote-coated poles, into the ground, and up her legs, spreading throughout her body in a ripple of energy. The hair on her arms and head prickled with static. … Continue reading Party line
Tis the season for tough questions
Nearly 20 years ago, when my daughter was still in elementary school, she came home one December afternoon in a state of wretched befuddlement. That day some of her little friends were discussing Santa Claus and his rumored nonexistence. Apparently, some of these juvenile dream-killers were telling any of their playmates who would listen, that … Continue reading Tis the season for tough questions
Kernel of lies
Several jennies pecked at the ground, picking up stray kernels. The big tom strutted around his harem spitting at Lindy, his tail feathers spread wide, his waddle shaking from his loud drumming, all a display of dominance and aggression. He didn’t like having an intruder in his territory. Lindy ignored him and continued throwing feed … Continue reading Kernel of lies
Boy soldier
“Are you going to leave that there?” “No, I'll take it down, just like all the rest of the flags left here.” “They’ll just put it back again.” “I know, but the cemetery is only decorated a couple of times a year, I can keep up with that.” I found the gravesite while researching a … Continue reading Boy soldier
White icing
She comes across as some sort of ingénue. The virginal girl-next-door who needs to be protected from unsavory elements. The dupes who believe her impersonation, don't know about her surreptitious life carried out in the darkest corners of the most sordid venues. They don't know she has honed her storytelling skills to an art form. … Continue reading White icing