We Meet to Part Always
There's a chasm opening in my stomach. A familiar feeling of sunken hopes once hatched. “When will I see you again, Eti?” My voice is hoarse. She…
Rays of the Rising Sun
I felt wrenched for my best friend, Haya. She was crying in her mother's arms, it was her 17th birthday and we should have been celebrating, but her…
If Only
The stick of blue eyeshadow rattles around in the bottom of a fishing tackle box. The one I had used for my make-up as a professional stage actor. It…
Left Out of Encyclopedia Britannica
I had students on the Persian Gulf named Muhammad, Saleh, and Fatso. Today. I had students in Houston Gardens named Keisha, Sabrina, and Dante. I had…
Transmogrify My Wife, Please
“There is no such thing as a parallel universe,” I said. “Of course, there is,” Quarry replied. “Ever heard of the quantum theory? That’s what it’s…
Cum Gutters
I could sense something was off when Bradley stayed firmly on his side of the bed. He’d said nothing since coming home, but he could be quiet, so I…
Panhandler
The bearded panhandler stood by the stop sign at the corner of Hollywood and the off ramp to the hospital from 6:30 a.m. until after rush hour in the…
New Beginning
April 2470 I should have started this journal sooner so there would be some record of the final days of our species. But how was I to know I would be…
Monster, Mermaid, and Me
On a fine day at my Southeast Portland house, I put on my bright white swimsuit and went out to my pool and imagined myself Julie* Adams in The…
A Cocked and Locked Christmas, Part 4
December 24th, 6:00 PM The regulars who found themselves lonely and with nothing better to do on Christmas Eve had trickled in later in the day, but…
