Mama loves me and I know that with all my heart. I also know she loves men better, especially big, hairy ones who bring her candy-colored pills. I don’t mind their sleeves of ink or foul mouths because our TV doesn’t work and the sounds emanating from the bedroom to pay for those gifts are my only […]
“Yes!” Amy squeals as I slip on the ring. “I love you.” She hugs me. I appreciate it, having agonized over where to pop the question. Fairbanks Park, overlooking the river. A perfect place for picnics, community activities. For private conversations. “I love you, too.” I nestle my nose in her neck, draw in the […]
It’s not his thumping tail or his soft brown eyes looking up at me that kills me. The discarded collar slices my heart like a blade through soft butter. Most weeks, I’m okay. But today, I’m unsure if grief is worth the price of love. Broken Hearts Gallery Literary is a new venture created by […]
Early morning sunlight filters through the kitchen window. Darlene turns from the counter and her eyes lock on my plate. Alone together, I feel her heat.“You’re kidding, right?” she says, holding a plump red apple.There is a deafening silence. Even the birds outside hold their song. I shift in the chair, wait. It won’t be […]
Originally Published by Punk Noir Press on February 1, 2025. Punk Noir Magazine put out a call for flash submissions themed Valentine Crimes of Passion, written in less than 100 words. It was a challenge! Grateful ‘Ice Child’ was accepted. It was only a box of chocolate. But I knew my dream girl deserved it. Problem was my paper-route paid $4 a week, […]
Another day, the red sun risescrimson beams cut through the gloom, it’s hard to breath whendust blows in my eyes, lost particlesbut to sweeten the morningI escape to the old worldlong gone, somewhere out of reach. I claw back to the aroma of cinnamon buns—warm and stickytoilet paper, the garden in bloom, birdsong.Hoofing it across […]
The final bell rings, a signal another day of learning is over. I skip along the cobblestones passing old stone buildings, without a care in the word. At the end of road rests my house, where I open the front door. Darkness engulfs me as I weave through belted black pants, skirts and bulky purses, […]
Mist hovers above the surface of the waterlight creeping from the east, a golden pinky glowI cut the blade throughthe silence,a heightened awarenessof my insignificancedawn silhouetting the pines, the land around untouched. Time stands still, swallowing me wholemorning brightens dull untila breeze, hot and welcome carriesthe unmistakable scent of rain,while I paddle back across the […]
Most days I wake up early to watch my husband sleep. The morning sun filtering through the bedroom blinds highlights auburn streaks in his thinning brown hair. Although I want to run my fingertips through the ends, I don’t touch it. He’s calm. Peaceful. Content. His chest rises and falls. I allow my eyes to […]
It’s a dream come true to be on Dru Ann Love’s blog to celebrate Judy Penz Sheluk’s Larceny and Last Chances anthology. My short story, A Promise Kept, is included. Happy to introduce the characters, Jane and Ruby Footsteps pad along the hallway and into my bedroom. I try not to laugh, knowing what’s coming […]