Paramedics wheeled Charlie out of the club through the mess of wires, broken glass, and water. A medic taped gauze on Cindy’s arm where a bullet broke the skin leaving a bleeding gash. Cuts and scratches covered her legs. “He’s going to live,” Wallace said. “How he didn’t die is anybody’s guess.” How they all survived, nobody could tell. A flash of gunpowder played again in Cindy’s mind as the bullet sent a cascade of water over Bill’s…
A Conversation “I trained all of them. Just put your nose under the big top so you can see.” “There’s no big top. Just a bunch of dirty hair.” “Humor me; if you dig in there you can see the center of the tent. That’s where they perform.” “I can’t get past the smell. You need a bath.” “Forget about me. Focus on the stage.” “I see them. They’re all just sort of sitting there.”…
The room grew darker with the night as the sun set behind the windows throwing shadows on the wall of books. A sign on the center door warned it should never be opened. He wondered about the door for a moment then turned the page. His reading went on for a few hours until only a candle lit up the room. He pushed his hands back to stretch. From the door came what he thought…
Strand Of Green Whispering Subtle pleasures On the wind a song sings Aw-Di-Hi-Oh I blow out frets Bamboo reed Song stills Mind Other Writings You May Like Knight Approaches Softly A Splash of Red Twilight Settled Around the Texas Spoon The Gardener Longs for Spring
Todd Loudin heard the shots below his office. They sounded close. He cocked his head to listen. Two more shots and screaming. He rushed to the window. A man dressed in all black ran away from the Glitter Gulch. Behind him, a half-dressed girl flailed on the ground with a hole in her leg. Another girl wearing only a bikini tried to help her. Green bills blew out of a broken grocery bag. A couple bills stuck…
Shep wondered why the old man left him here. It seemed strange to be up so early before the sunlight, in the cold morning, far from the ranch. He shifted his weight and stayed in place looking down the road for the truck. The old man told him to stay right here and he intended to wait no matter the length of time. A cold wind lapped at his ears and he shivered. He rounded…
The walking cane now gathers dust in the corner behind the door. A father leaned against it on a path where he would stop to talk with the neighbors, pet a dog, or lift a child. He served as the honorary grandpa for many three-year-olds. He always had a piece of candy and a smile. The walking cane once belonged to his father who used it to lift himself into his tractor on the cotton…
The silver car rose out of the driveway and backed out into the street. “What are you watching?” “Some old crystal from more than 100 years ago. Something grandma saved.” The man driving the car covered his eyes with chrome sunglasses. Zack paused the action. “How clunky,” he said. “Why don’t they just see it.” Arya touched her temple and the movie floated in her view. On the screen, the unkempt man adjusted his glasses.…
A man dressed in black shifted his weight in the far booth with the girls. Feather hung on him like a white dishcloth and her breasts touched his shirt. She patted his arm when he laughed. The man chewed on a swizzle stick and a baseball hat hung low over his forehead. Cindy noted the corner of his eye when he smiled at Feather. “They seem full of energy,” Cindy said. Bill looked behind him. “The night…
Cindy counted the number of bubbles rising from the bottom of the aquarium behind Bill’s head. A black and white fish floated through the bubbles followed by a yellow and blue. The black and white was missing an eye. Otherwise, each fish looked happy to be swimming in a strip club. “You should add a clown fish.” Bill looked over at her. “Like Finding Nemo.” “You are an odd,” Bill paused. “No, make that a…