Have the chef bring me something not on the menu. I tire of General Tso's or Tao's or Tsao's chicken; why cubed white meat, when I like sinew? I don't want my sauces blander, thicker nor sweeter. I want the Szechuan chicken (no carrots nor bell peppers) and extra white rice. No, no. I'm not... Continue Reading →
Mister Saechao’s Gambling Advice
Money always makes me happy, especially money that I win. And I’ll bet on just about anything. How many seconds until the light turns green? Give me an over/under. Six seconds? I’ll take the over. How many ladies will give me the red light tonight? I’ll take the over at 3.5. How many super nice... Continue Reading →
Wanderers
Looking for a place to settle my Father walked me ___between the tracks leading to the next town, our town with a different name, familiar enough. Trains push air under dust, it is so dry, our breathing, like eating dirt from the earth. It’s a drought, he says, not looking at me. Our destination ___is... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Great Falls – A Serial Novel – Part 24
November 8, 2014, Saturday Kao pulled the tray of bacon out of the oven and set the strips on a paper towel. He breathed deep and slow to calm his still-pounding heart. Ten minutes went by fast on the treadmill when it wasn’t part of a required regimen. He actually stayed on for a couple... Continue Reading →
Fortune Cookies
My father speaks before the family at the dinner table. __[My mother provides the translations.] Upon birth I cried, coming out headfirst. “Happy days are just over the mountaintop. ____The struggle has ended.” She brings countless plates; __frisbees with food for my American friends. He eyes them and grins. (Chew. Don’t choke. ____Moderation is key.)... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Great Falls – A Serial Novel – Part 23
November 7, 2014, Friday Brandon felt the wetness of drool between his cheek and pillow. He wiped his face with the back of his hand and rolled over to face the ceiling. The fan spun even though it was off. So did the room. He didn't remember crawling up to stairs from the living room... Continue Reading →
Philanthropy, a Haiku
You say I’m a mis- ogynist, but you’re a whore, and whores are people, (too).
Welcome to Great Falls – A Serial Novel – Part 22
November 6, 2014, Thursday The light breeze wicked the sweat off Dennis's torso and gave him a good chill on his arms. Vanessa clutched at her sleeves. She had just walked into the gym and had yet to warm up when she ran into him and he asked for her to go outsde again. At his car,... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Great Falls – A Serial Novel – Part 21
November 5, 2014, Wednesday Dear Diary, I’m just a boy and I might not know much, but I know my brother is drinking a lot. He smells sour like Dad in the morning sometimes. I can hear his steps at night in the hallway even though he tries to walk on his tippy toes. He... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Great Falls – A Serial Novel – Part 20
November 4, 2014, Tuesday Kristen checked the front door again but it was still locked. She told herself she would smoke another cigarette before calling Kao for the head chef’s phone number. Right after she lit her smoke, she thought to call the restaurant, and she felt embarrassed when the chef answered. “Can I get... Continue Reading →
Mister Saechao 