Bicentennial
Shortly before the nation’s bicentennial, a wave of graffiti washed over Philadelphia. Before long it came to the attention of A. Edward Jaffe. In those days Jaffe was still the […]
The Stump
Lorraine and Kevin Bibby owned the largest tree in the neighborhood and when it split with a sizzling crack during a wicked summer lightning storm the whole community felt their […]
String
The brothers had been left by themselves for the morning in the living room of the Murray Hill apartment where their grandparents lived. The younger brother, Nicky, had been lying […]
Family plot
“How does my laugh sound to you,” he said, “does it sound tinny?” “Tinny?” She asked. They were in a coffee shop on Chestnut Street called Coffee Roasters. They were […]
Ferry
“I think I am allergic to you.” She said it nicely, not aggressive like she had just discovered a new fact. “What does that mean?” He was working on something […]
The last gin and tonic
The three men were sitting in a trolley car that had long ago been turned into an expensive drinking establishment. Political figures were on the TV screen above the bar […]
At the DMV
The large man across the counter took my form without looking at me. He was sitting in a small chair with rollers and he had it scooched to the side […]
Angel
The man paused on the doorstep, huffed into his palm to check his breath, and then shook his jacket straight. Ignoring the bell to the side, he gave a stout […]
Captain Jimmy’s Wake
The longest trip a son can take is the one he makes to bring his father’s body home. The call came at 4 in the morning the day before St […]
The Last Taxpayer
The two men were in the locker room. The tall one was stripping down after a sweaty workout. The short bearded one sat on a stool, tiredly pulling off his […]
The Girl Who Did Not Know What to be
The Girl Who Didn’t Know What to Be was in school one day when Ms. Standly, her regular teacher, called in sick and so did Ms. Moore, who was Ms. […]
Up With The Baby
(Pitch Dark. Two Voices, A Man and A Woman) “Did you hear him?” “I did not hear anything.” “I heard him. I definitely heard him.” “I didn’t hear anything.” “Are […]
Dates
I was sitting in a booth in a diner in the Mission, typing on my laptop. In the booth behind me there was a man and a woman. I could […]
Ordinary Life
The two men were standing by the big mirror in the locker room. The older one was on the way to a workout; the younger one was drenched in sweat. […]
Beach fire
They were gathered around the fire on the beach after the sunset had come and gone. They were in beach chairs and pressed up against the fire for warmth in […]
Sushi
They were sitting cross-legged at the low table waiting for the waiter to take the man’s credit card. They had been waiting for a long time and no waiter had […]
Pitch
We were driving in my car. She said, “What’s the name of this restaurant?” It was the kind of question she always asked. “Pitch….” I said and then added, “Just […]