Outside in the dark her father was standing, beer in hand, looking into the trees. His work pants were dusted white, his work boots thick with snow and dirt. Dalia wanted to rush forward, hug him anywhere she could get purchase and jump up into his arms but instead she watched him breathing blue mist [...]
The Flag, the City
Aaron struggled to get his bearings. The sun had risen—from the hill it was a deep, burning orange dot obscured by dark and distant clouds; sharp, black clouds. He hadn't seen the sunrise for many years—as an eighteen year-old he would arrive at work fifteen minutes early, take the elevator to the highest floor then [...]
The Train and the Sailboat
“Those flashes, those twinkles,” Uncle Wardell explained, pausing to sip his coffee. He thought about it, gently shaking a finger at the night sky beyond his telescope. The sound of the old train starting up, slowing down, Boyd didn't know, wailed in the distance and made him scared. “How do I put this,” said his [...]
Bee Bird
bee bird [...]
Ream, Two
James hated tinned fruit, but was drawn to it for reasons he didn't fully understand. He liked when, sitting at the breakfast table, which in his house and the houses of his circle of his friends was distinct from the dining table, his mother would scoop pears or apricots into his bowl of yogurt, or [...]
Dalia, Seven
Dalia dreamt that she was the queen of a high tower, like the Burj Khalifa except taller, that looked out over a desert. She had been a pariah but was clever enough to insinuate herself into the desert society that had cast her out by artifice and oration—by signs and wonders performed at her hand. [...]
Dalia, Six
“When is Dad getting home?” “Probably not till later sweetie,” said Momma, wiping peach nectar from Dalia's chin with the fat palm of her hand. “How many times do you have to ask that?” said Fritzi, “Seriously!” “Please finish up with the television and head upstairs now, you have a mountain of homework to do, [...]
