It was one of those spring evenings that wouldn’t give up being cold. The rain hit so hard it bounced off the ground as if the mud wouldn’t have anything more to do with it. But Richard Franke’s good daughter, Eve, was outside, rain pants and jacket bright against the darkening sky and darker firs, … Continue reading
Tag Archives: ISSUES
Grapes—Claire Tollefsrud
The couple wanted children almost as badly as they wanted each other—their wedding bands were still shiny and unfamiliar on their fingers—so they made love almost every night in their new house. The rooms were mostly empty; the kitchen counter was white and cold. Then came the fruit bowl. The wife loved peaches, the husband … Continue reading
This Guy Should Have a Car—David Pounds
Man, fuck buses. The dregs of our society live on buses. And I don’t mean homeless people, like this isn’t my screwed up screed on the homeless or nothing. I just mean that it seems like if you are a terrible person or there is something wrong or offensive going on with you, you just … Continue reading
What Goes Up—Will Drickey
He dreams of past friends cackling as he plunges into a dark pool. The rippling water contorts their faces, transforming their spiteful laughter into mute expressions of agony. He flails, but finds his ankle chained to something heavy, invisible. They will not help him, and as the last air escapes his lungs in a maelstrom … Continue reading
Blue Bloke—Timothy B. Dodd
They’re shooting again. So little Cory’s screaming again. “Honey, go put something on for him,” Shirley says. I walk to the living room. On the ground beside the “entertainment center” I find a disc out of its case. I pick it up and slam Grover’s face into the DVD player, turn up the volume. … Continue reading
Coe Review 