Father, Son, and Holy Ghost through all eternity. All eternity—really? God help us.
The choir droned on, the same choir they heard every year, singing the same homely hymn it sang every year. What did it mean, “holy ghost”? …
Green Man
The trees have been here so long and me, I’m just a punk drop-in. I do not expect them to accept me all at once. I know better than that. Still, I feel they are beginning to at least get …
A Banana in the Briefcase
Is that your breakfast today? I ask this silently of each person who comes into the donut shop. Is that your breakfast today? A donut and coffee? Often, actually, it’s two or three donuts. No wonder Americans are so obese. …
Goosing Goodman
Irwin Linsacker did not seek attention. Attention implied dogs and children. When Irwin was a child, his mother’s dismissal of a crying jag with a brusque, “Oh, he just wants attention,” dissuaded him from further lapses in self-control. Recognition, however, …
A Banana in the Briefcase
Is that your breakfast today? I ask this silently of each person who comes into the donut shop. Is that your breakfast today? A donut and coffee? Often, actually, it’s two or three donuts. No wonder Americans are so obese. …
Fruit from the Seed
Mavis left off staring at her phone to stare at her father’s bare back. Covered in dark hair, it was beyond gross. She had to say something. “So, Dad, give me one good reason why won’t you wax your back.” …
Down the Tube
In the far northeast corner of Washington State, the Pend d’Oreille River winds through a dark and doleful countryside. The thickly-forested hills press close to the highway, and even in summer the sun seems reluctant to intrude. Weathered farm houses …
Land Line
I felt sorry for it, I really did. The phone: the phone, as in “The phone’s ringing!” and “I’ll get it!” Remember that? Fewer and fewer people do. I’m fond of my phone, an elegant little brushed-silver device with a …
It Will All Work Out
I failed to completely evacuate my bowels this morning. I pride myself on efficiency in this department, but this morning things failed to “go” as usual. So there’s this lingering sensation of something left hanging. I hate this feeling.
I …
The Prize
Morning. Golden Earth morning. Golden Earth morning with a new box on the table!
Sean came into the kitchen just as his mother set it out.
“Mom, can I pick it up?”
“Okay, Sean, but no opening.” No one was …