Author Archives: sputterpub

(7) Grace and Owen didn’t sleep well. Usually it was just one of them moving around all night, disturbing the other with bed impressions and bathroom noises, but Owen went to the toilet half a dozen times and Grace woke … Continue reading →

(5) Linda clicked the “send” on the e-mail to her brother as Mark came in through the kitchen door. She heard “I’m home!” while she twisted to a stand, and she strode with rare eagerness to hear how school had … Continue reading →

(3) “Is it still hot?” Jenny’s tone was hopeless as she pushed her cheek into her pillow. She hated the heat. She was born and raised in Snohomish, near Seattle, Washington, and her decade in Atlanta had not accustomed her … Continue reading →

(1) Grace’s arms and legs were stippled with goose bumps. This was particularly annoying because she hated the sight of her bare flesh, and she would have been in all ways more comfortable if she were covered. “It’s summertime, dammit,” … Continue reading →

A few minutes pass. Cecie has cycled from customary resentment about her mother to fondness for Wayne’s adoration. A brisk knock on her office door startles her. “Yes?” her voice creaks a little. Carmen puts her pretty face around the … Continue reading →

No: Cecie will accept Wayne first and tell Cass later. With that decision, she walks to the door of her office. She hangs her Ms. C. Collins  nameplate and looks toward Carmen. The game of musical chairs is down to … Continue reading →

Cecie’s day starts well and gets better. She has an excellent workout at her club; now that she’s on the other side of 50 she appreciates any day she doesn’t need ibuprofen. When she arrives at work the children are … Continue reading →