Author Archives: sputterpub

Finding the Fun in Funeral (2 of 5)

Posted on April 4, 2012 by sputterpub

My brother John was born when I was 2½ years old. He was a difficult baby. He came with crooked feet so he spent his first several months with casts on his tiny legs. He was bluish at birth and … Continue reading →

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Bing

Posted on April 3, 2012 by sputterpub

At one end of the bridge in her backyard, she sits and eats the cherries picked today and quickly rinsed before they made their hard and swollen, tartly sweet-fleshed, sun-plumped way into her mouth. She stops to look at one: … Continue reading →

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Finding the Fun in Funeral (1 of 5)

Posted on April 2, 2012 by sputterpub

I’m really a rotten person. My mother was totally right. I’m selfish and lazy and even nasty. It takes one to know one – that’s how I can spot the phonies and users. (I’d avoid this whole deal if I … Continue reading →

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Citrus

Posted on March 30, 2012 by sputterpub

As sour as a lemon is my mood and murkier; a lemon is more clean. I’m battling an acrid attitude, besieged by crankiness and feeling mean. But here’s a treat I didn’t think I’d have: a 5-car train provides me … Continue reading →

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The Bad Patient (Conclusion)

Posted on March 29, 2012 by sputterpub

They had to walk single file between trees for a minute or two. They came to an open space overlooking the rocky cove, and they paused. Spot investigated gopher holes; his tail swept the air like a metronome. “Anyway … … Continue reading →

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The Bad Patient (Part III of IV)

Posted on March 28, 2012 by sputterpub

Isabelle was looking straight ahead as they walked but she caught some movement in her peripheral vision and turned to the right. “Is that Rusty-the-slut?” Rosie peered where Isabelle faced. A tall figure was moving away from a parked silver … Continue reading →

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The Bad Patient (Part II of IV)

Posted on March 27, 2012 by sputterpub

Rosie seemed preoccupied with her shoe. She was bent over and busy with the lace, so Isabelle looked at the back of her head. “Belle,” Rosie began, aiming her words at the sand, “I don’t want to beat a dead … Continue reading →

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The Bad Patient (Part I of IV)

Posted on March 26, 2012 by sputterpub

“I will not willingly surrender myself to the medical industry.” That had always been one of Isabelle’s assertions, and Rosie accepted it as much as she could. Everyone else said “Oh, you’ll sing a different tune if you’re ever diagnosed … Continue reading →

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Misanthropy

Posted on March 23, 2012 by sputterpub

You’re looking terrible. I can’t believe how many of you people aren’t fine. I doubt that God is trying to achieve this unattractive blandness by design. You’re somnolent, and you have blotchy skin. Your hair is dull. Your fingernails don’t … Continue reading →

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Caste of Characters

Posted on March 22, 2012 by sputterpub

They never aimed to establish a society but if they had they would have argued for equality. They were all women; they’d been at the short end of the stick. But they settled their community without a constitution, and personalities … Continue reading →

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