Ten Things of Thankful – Stillness
There is an amazing level of quiet that exists in the hours after “very late” and before “very early.” I’m honestly surprised at how much. And also at how dark. It isn’t often I look out across our circle and see…darkness. The world is still right now as if holding its breath. I think maybe…
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Carried
She always felt like the one who needed to be carried. He was the calm to her bluster, the reason to her emotion. When she fretted and worried, he said, “just keep going” and “I believe.” She found his lack of excitability infuriating. Through all the changes, the struggles, the fears, he worked and simply…
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Frozen Echoes
Echoes of laughter-laced music from last night’s party crept out from behind the tree line and moved across the field. The piney air carried the suggestion of alcohol-doused firewood and nearly frozen vomit, followed by something not quite appropriate to the occasion – the unmistakable scent of fresh blood. “What do you think it is,…
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Undercover
To say that a bald man in a white suit and purple sunglasses at a funeral sticks out like a sore thumb might be the singularly greatest understatement of the year, but when I got the 5:00 AM call to show up for an urgent security job, I was in a mildly hungover state and…
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The Fishing Trip
“Been forever since I fished these waters. Or any. Won’t be much good.” Joe watched as his grandfather stood in the shallows, silent and motionless. He hadn’t been himself since Gran died. “Ya know, Gramps,” said Joe quietly, “you always said it didn’t matter if we caught anything, just that we get our toes wet…
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Uplifted
Winter came again last night. The wind takes icy bites of my neck. I turn my collar against the chill, seeking help from glittering sunshine that offers no warmth. The landscape has dressed in delicate white furs for the occasion of what is – hopefully – winter’s final farewell. Across the snow-laced field sits a…
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First Day on the Job
“Here’s where you punch in and out,” said Bob, “and you’ll be up in the rig until your shift ends, so take your lunch up with you.” Ned punched his card and followed the foreman to the building site, hesitating at the sight of the crane towering above the high-rise. Freak accident, they said, could…
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Strange Bedfellows
“Everyone thinks you’re ridiculous,” taunted Raven, circling around his companion. Unicorn drank from the cool, sparkling stream. “No one laughs about rainbows when I’m around,” Raven prodded. Silent, Unicorn continued walking along the shore. “I strike fear in the hearts of men,” he boasted, puffing out his chest feathers. Finally, Unicorn stopped. “And what of…
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Weekend Business (A Reboot)
Gail signed the document with a steady hand, then locked her briefcase. “Business awaits,” he said. “You’ll be OK this weekend?” Recalling the suspicious “business” charges on their Visa statement, she imagines Rich’s face later when the card is declined. With a dismissive wave, Gail smiles. “I’m sure I will.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Joining the crew over at Ivy…
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A Cold Encounter
Such strange warmth for this time of year. Ice is still thick on the lake, a dull mirror for the fog that hovers inches above the surface. Dense and disconcerting, it blurs the distinction between earth and sky and the shroud makes dusk of midday. What am I not supposed to see? The…
