Paul’s phone buzzes. “Hey, did your plane arrive early?” “No. I decided to drive,” Joey says. “I’m about 20 minutes out. Where are you?” “You drove? It’s like ten hours.” “Well, with the layover it was about six. Besides, I wanted to see the country.” “You scared of flying, aren’t you?” “No. Just send me... Continue Reading →
Small Town Stories – 1. Paulie Nuts
Paul weaves his old Toyota pickup from the uptown hill to the flats. The silver truck moves through neighborhoods common to almost any small town in America. Harrison Avenue is lined with hotels near the highway and the national fast food joints are dotted next to them. He passes a nearly empty mall but there’s... Continue Reading →
How I Became… A Smoker
For the record, I don’t endorse smoking. I think it’s one of the most self-destructive habits. It’s why I don’t like smoking around children, especially toddlers. I have this habit of cupping the cigarette in my hand when I walk past children. Regardless, I’ve been smoking for more than 20 years and the other day... Continue Reading →
An Addictive Personality
Here's an old column I wrote more than fifteen years ago. Some references are dated. When a friend in college told me that I had an addictive personality, I took it as an affront. Why shouldn’t I? The implication was that I was somehow abnormal or… I’m not exactly sure, but it was negative. He... Continue Reading →
An Excerpt from A Son’s Loyalties – The Park (Chapter Four)
This is an excerpt from a novel I'm working on. I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks and have a great weekend. Heads turn when they see Kao’s dark blue car. He parks near two makeshift volleyball courts, where a mixture of Southeast Asians are playing. Most of them are Mien and Hmong and a few... Continue Reading →
Migrant Burden
Migraine headache ___a migrant backache ______from father to son. An American daughter-in-law _____our burden together. Donna wears her emotions on a flushed pale face washed with ivory cream ___what she brings to the table white rice _________mother taught her to wash and steam. Her father and brother wonder why I never finished business... Continue Reading →
Summer
Light over darkness, long days, shorter nights, finding myself, my youth in dry daylight, blindly walking but I’m very certain, straying from spring hills to summer mountains. Yosemite’s valley sheltering me; warm rains and serenity in the trees. Searching for fountain of youth, purity; instead, finding a waterfall’s beauty. Nightly campfires under constellations,... Continue Reading →
The Time Machine
The Powerball is thirteen and I watch the guys in the bar clutch their tickets. They’re anxious for Laurie to scan their numbers but I don’t care. I sip the rest of my gin. It’s down to the dregs. Just melted ice and lime with a whiff of its piney scent. “Hold your horses!” Laurie... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Great Falls – A Serial Novel – Part 18
November 2, 2014, Sunday Kao sat behind his wife in the tub and lathered her back with a wash cloth. They were both giddy about the prospect of another child, so much so that neither slept more than a couple hours the previous night as they talked about their current children. “Do you want a... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Great Falls – A Serial Novel – Part 17
November 1, 2014, Saturday When Kao tried to sneak out of bed for his morning workout, Erica held onto him and said she was cold. It was her way of asking him to spoon her. He could never resist. His chest warmed her cold spine. Kao put his face into her dark hair and kissed... Continue Reading →
