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
The 42nd Parallel John Dos Passos</ 8 min @ Lit on College " I can tell by the look on your face I'm not what you expected me to look like." Morton remained stock still with that bug-eyed look that so irritated Mona. He managed a nod as he stepped Read more
Ru by Kim Thuy 8 min @ Rooster cafe Sao Mai had cheated to get where she was. The remedies weren’t hers to claim but the dead can’t talk. Even if her mother had been able to denounce her, who would translate the shrill accusations of a half blind Cantonese Read more
Self-Help by Lorrie Moore 8 min @ the desk, Toronto 4:44 Make a wish. Wish for a bigger apartment. Something with a wall between the bed and the table. You know the wishes don’t work. Except that one time. But it was 11:11. In the morning. Mornings are hard working the Read more