World Builders by Edward Lee
Friday, November 26, 2021

World Builders by Edward Lee

Zumman and Sappa's fortunes change when no more Mammon grows in Jesteria, threatening famine; by Edward Lee.

He called the World Builder on a comm link and relayed the problem. Zumman's home had been displaced. Zumman stood with his wife, Sappa, and their daughter, Sasa, who was shading her eyes, looking at the horizon. Sasa could see the World Builder coming down a hill on his utility veh…
Read more
Labels:

No comments:
Beneath It All by Lee Conrad
Monday, November 22, 2021

Beneath It All by Lee Conrad

In post-Depression era small-town USA, Billy Hart risks his life unionising steel forge workers; by Lee Conrad.

Killian, Ohio - August 1961

The Murray brothers, Phil and Gary, bolted out the screen door of their ranch-style suburban home on the outskirts of Killian, Ohio, looking for adventure. The early afternoon was moist and oppressive after days of heavy rain and storms. They dressed alike: whi…
Read more
Labels:

3 comments:
I’m Tired of Living Like This by Sara Corris
Friday, November 19, 2021

I’m Tired of Living Like This by Sara Corris

Sara Corris's story evokes Philip Larkin: "They fuck you up, your mum and dad. They may not mean to, but they do."

“Do you remember the last thing he said?”

“I’m tired of living like this.”

The officer thanked her and sent her home.


Two o’clock in the morning, and no one was asleep.

From Mark’s bathroom:

“BAGEL, NO! NO! Goddammit!”

From Sadie’s bedroom:

“Dad, shut the fuck u…
Read more
Labels:

1 comment:
Life Lesson by Anne Goodwin
Monday, November 15, 2021

Life Lesson by Anne Goodwin

Two foster children, Autumn and Becca, return from an educational trip to Auschwitz carrying very different lessons; by Anne Goodwin.

We’d agreed not to mention the press conference until the plane was on the ground. We couldn’t predict what they’d do if they got overexcited. As it was, the girls abandoned us at the luggage carousel and rushed off to the toilets to reapply their make-up. All exc…
Read more
Labels:

10 comments:
At Home with Arthur Quick by Gary Ives
Friday, November 12, 2021

At Home with Arthur Quick by Gary Ives

Julie's life takes an unexpected course when her father shelters a charismatic stranger; by Gary Ives.

Late one windy Nebraskan April afternoon in 1970, when I was 17, my father's tractor came slowly up our lane pulling an old Plymouth station wagon at the end of a muddy chain. Behind the steering wheel was a little old man with white hair wearing very thick glasses. The car had died at th…
Read more
Labels:

4 comments:
Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )