“End of Day” – Substack

While her colleagues quit en masse, an employee weighs her departure. Three colleagues from the marketing department jog by Lyssa: Maribeth pops thumbs-up while she wobbles in her heels; Michael, last summer’s part-time intern hired as full-time, claps while he giggles; and the third, Lyssa has seen wearing a new outfit every week, dashes offContinue reading ““End of Day” – Substack”

“Yellow Brick Road” – Substack

A summer-camp counselor is responsible for putting on a play. The gym doors fling open, kids rush in, and trudging to the water fountain, Matt fills his bottle, careful not to touch the nozzle where every camp kid drooled, sneezed, or sucked on. He towels off, his wheezing slowing, the constriction easing but not lettingContinue reading ““Yellow Brick Road” – Substack”

“Confluence” – Substack

A sister struggling with PTSD requests something from her brother. She turns off the flashlight and fidgets with it like she’s saving it for other places. “The bear called the power company.” She turns for the fridge and downs a pitcher of purple liquid. “Those thunder cracks were so loud,” she says after gasping. “AndContinue reading ““Confluence” – Substack”

“Skeleton Key” – Substack

A super receives an evening call from an elderly resident in need. “Anything else I can help you with?” I asked Mrs. Hix another time through her door.” “The annual spikes in rent. They smother us like clockwork.” “I know. I’m sorry, but that’s out of my hands.” “Then I’ll give you more. I needContinue reading ““Skeleton Key” – Substack”

hoopla Digital

My recent novels October and In Another Sun and the short-story collection A Fine Day Will Burn Through are available as ebooks for checkout at your local library through hoopla Digital. They provide digital content (movies, TV shows, music, audiobooks, comics, and ebooks) to public libraries and their patrons across North America, and their uniqueContinue reading “hoopla Digital”

“All Clear” – a Bigfoot Yarn

The radio’s song scratches back into the truck’s speakers. Gerry adjusts his ballcap and shifts into gear. The twin mufflers reverberate underneath the license plate printed with CHEROKEE NATION and the dinged fender stickered with 9/11 NEVER FORGET and International Association of Fire Fighters. The country singer sings how killing time is killing him untilContinue reading ““All Clear” – a Bigfoot Yarn”

“Bloodsuckers” on Patreon for Father’s Day

“Come on. Let’s check the Four-Zero.” “Bloodsuckers,” William Auten As soon as the rusted lock clicks off and the barn doors open, more hot moisture billows around them. Matt pushes back his ballcap. Winches, tools, sawdust soaking oil spots, and fiberglass clippings litter the broken-up concrete floor. Water plops from the ceiling and slides offContinue reading ““Bloodsuckers” on Patreon for Father’s Day”