The Climber Room by Sam Lipsyte 8 min @ the desk, Toronto It was a curse. She couldn’t tell people of course, it would only make it worse. Not even her best friend. For now it was only the hair on her head. The witch had said if she didn’t broker Read more
Lives of the Saints by Nino Ricci 8 min @ crafted She was not well. Her skin was pale and dark where it shouldn’t be. She was not well and she was mean. She’d always been a bit sharp but now she was all bite and venom. Even her smile Read more
Parisian Chic by Ines de la Fressange 8 min @ the kitchen table, Toronto There was a stain the color of mud in the center of the sheet. Quickly, she covered it with the top sheet, making nice crisp tucks at the corner. She didn’t notice the pungent odor of Read more
Long For This World by Jonathan Weiner 8 min @ Manic Coffee The boy sat on the Chesterfield, hands in fists rested politely on his lap. As she listened Mary looked over Carl’s shoulder, she was not sure if the boy was blinking. He rarely spoke but his blinks were a Read more
Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson 7 min @ Crafted “Never ever! Never not no more!” He puffed out his little chest, a mini barrel version of his father’s. The small soft feet slapped on the linoleum, the pudgy hands clenched tight as his eyes, but his mouth was Read more
from the body of a personal email 8 min @ Noir coffee & tea Eight steps. Yellow door, red gate, number 1032. Ten more steps. Did I turn off the stove? Affirmative.. Twelve steps. Crack. Momma’s back. Eighteen steps. Stop sign. This way, that way, all clear, cross. They brought Read more
Perfect Pie by Judith Thompson 8 min @ the kitchen table, TO There isn’t much circulation in her legs. The knee highs are cutting into the soft flesh and her dress pants are tight across her hips. Stacey wants to get up and stretch but her mother’s grasp is surprisingly Read more
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes 8 min on the Ossington 63 Bus (northbound) There was no sleep. Everyone tells you that. “Get your rest now”. As if you can draw from these squirreled away rations later. Little kernels of rest waiting to be cracked open. In Case of Read more