Category: Short Story
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Diner Love by Philip Lisi
The top of the Heinz ketchup bottle at the Neptune Diner looked secure–I am sure it was on tight. But as I stare at the tomatoey Rorschach splotch adorning the front of your date-nightdress, I guess I must have misjudged the synchronicity between white metal top with its spiral grooves…
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The Black Swallowtail Butterfly is Falling by William Kitcher
After dining with my friend Gustav on our scheduled Friday evening at The Radish Café, we returned to his apartment to continue our discussion over glasses of excellent brandy. As usual, the conversation turned to books; Gustav taught World Literature at the local university. My tastes weren’t as highbrow as…
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Missions by Zach Anderson
The last time I saw my father was last January, a mild day for Minnesota, mid 20s. I drove out to his house, an hour from the major cities, through several small towns, each perched along a central train line through Minnesota which begins in Chicago and ends somewhere parts…
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The Carpet Salesman by Ellis Shuman
Business in the carpet department was slow; in fact, it was non-existent. Ziv sat behind his desk from the moment the store opened in the morning until it closed for the night, and looked out at the furniture displays with little to distract him. Occasionally, shoppers walked into Ziv’s…
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Trial Run by Gabrielle Esposito
It was a miracle, really, that only one of them was killed in the car crash. By the time the police finally arrived, they had each been pulled away from the wreckage once: first Dash, Lily, and then Clem. The cops found Dash and Lily shouldering Clem into place as…
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Firefly by Warren Benedetto
Missy caught the firefly in mid-air, cupping her hands around it to form a tiny, dark cave. She could feel the insect’s delicate footsteps tickling her skin as it wandered across her palm, searching for a way out. “Got you!” she whispered, victorious. It was almost dark. The sunset was…
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Mulberry House by Will Sheets
It was spring when the stranger found me. I watched him as he stumbled over the roots of the great oaks that had grown to obscure the once-pristine path that led to my gate. I couldn’t help but stare. I hadn’t seen one of his kind since Lord Asenger and…
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Rats by Vee Weeks
“Carmella, come here,” Mama said through gritted teeth as I scooted to the other side of the sofa as fast as I could. My bare feet hit the floor and I was so close to getting up and running out of the living room, but Mama grabbed the sleeve…
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Bride Price by Huina Zheng
When Kun drove his BMW to his girlfriend Yan’s home to propose a marriage, Yan said, “Park the car here and we’ll walk to my parents’ house. I told them we would take the high-speed train. Don’t tell them you have a car, or they’ll make you pay more.” …