Fiction

Momma told me to always make things right, to say please and thank you, and I’m sorry (not just sorry), and to always always always put things back where I found them. And that’s how come I’m standing in this backyard again trying to jimmy the basement door without waking the neighbors. I know lots […]

Drallmeier listened as the voice on his phone directed him to the elementary school’s playground. His four-year-old nephew, Jackson, whined for a cold juice box. “Not now, man.” He took a wrong turn and the app on the phone recalibrated. He squeegeed his bald, sweating scalp with the palm of his hand. “When we get […]

“Your uncle would never kill himself.” I looked at my aunt, prim and unforgiving, sitting under the willow tree, the shadows of leaves dappling her like splatters of blood. She placed down her iced tea and stood up stiffly. Sunlight glinted off her glasses obscuring the expression in her eyes as I led her towards […]

“I don’t try to offend people,” said Jack. “I just don’t notice when I do.” He turned on his side to face Diana. Another man might have reached out to stroke the curve of her naked hip, but he was done with her body until their next motel date. “You don’t seem to mind. As […]

“Hello? Mook? Great to hear your voice. Where you at?” “Shit. One phone call. Just like the movies.” “No charges yet, huh? Well, it’s the weekend. Maybe on Tuesday.” “Mook, slow down. It’s a holiday weekend. Courts are closed on Monday.” “The gang’s all fine. It’s just you.” “A lawyer? Gosh, Mook, that takes money. […]

The pub is full of aging hard men, all nursing unfinished pints and festering grudges. The motherfucker I’m looking for is sat at a corner table, wearing more makeup than a mob wife. It accentuates his rubbery, porcine features. His name is Michael Sweetwater, and he was the man the Andretti Family tasked with slashing […]

She went by Roxy now and he watched her talk to men. She had only two outfits, blue and pink—neither of which stayed on for long. Bikini top, tight skirt to match. Blue and pink. Will it be a boy or girl? He’d been told it was bad luck to buy the crib or paint […]

Greer was pissed.  The space inside the cake was too tight for him.  His legs were going to fall asleep if he didn’t get out soon. He wondered how strippers did this.  He squatted inside the wooden cake shell, his hands clutching the pistols.  Of course, Greer was six foot five and well over two […]

Ava was running late for an appointment and backed out of the garage like a rocket, fatally colliding with Todd. Todd came every Tuesday. Parked on the street. Walked up her slanted driveway with his kit that day just in time to be smashed by the back of her speeding Suburban. His skull bounced against […]

I sit on the veranda having breakfast.  Nothing fancy, two fried eggs, one with a broken yoke, a rasher of bacon, toast, a grilled tomato with fresh leafy greens on the side.  Always have something green on your plate.  Make it a habit.  It’s good for you.   A raven lands on the veranda rail.  Watches […]

“It’s like having Ted Bundy for a brother – without the serial killing.” “What else is there?” “Narcissism. Sociopathic tendencies. Complete disregard for human life. Bodies everywhere. They’re not necessarily buried.” “I think that’s a stretch.” “I think you have to live my life.” Detective Clancy stared at me a moment, but I stared back […]

Ashley H. Sexton, daughter of Sybil M. Sexton and Dr. Robert L. Sexton of Westchester, NY, was married this past Friday to Jacob K. Brock, son of Harold B. Brock and Dolores A. Brock of Short Hills, NJ.  Rabbi Adam Bing officiated the ceremony at Crease, a rooftop event space in lower Soho reopened this […]