Category Archives: Fiction

Disruption

Posted on December 9, 2015 by sputterpub

“You know what they say,” I intoned. “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Margaret snorted. There was no way I could interpret that as agreement. And she’s a professional. I looked up and listened. “That’s just not true. Or … Continue reading →

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Our Special Friend

Posted on December 2, 2015 by sputterpub

Not. That was our first clue that Margaret might be a keeper. She was the only child therapist who did NOT claim to be my boy’s special friend. Which is kind of ironic, because she was so effective that we … Continue reading →

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Bertilda and the Cop

Posted on November 25, 2015 by sputterpub

Anne and I had a little fright this morning. We never get together for coffee at her place, but we were chatting over the fence last night about medical pot, and she told me she had some sort of new … Continue reading →

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Russ

Posted on November 18, 2015 by sputterpub

There’s a old-fashioned grocery store in my extended neighborhood. It’s so vintage they stock fresh fruit and use cash registers. If you don’t want to pay with cash or a card, they’ll let you sign a tab and they’ll send … Continue reading →

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Muzzle

Posted on November 11, 2015 by sputterpub

This is a tidbit about me. I’m a 55 year old woman with a 52 year old brother (Mark), and an ex friend/sister-in-law (Linda). Facebook just reminded me that it’s Linda’s birthday. I’m unsure what to do about that. Here’s … Continue reading →

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Bertilda

Posted on November 4, 2015 by sputterpub

Bertilda is in her early 80s but that isn’t any excuse; she’s been mean and grumbly all her life. Possibly it’s a personality disorder that merits therapy or at least accommodation, but the fact is, most people don’t want to … Continue reading →

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J’s Son

Posted on October 28, 2015 by sputterpub

I knew Jason wasn’t an average kid when I met him. His family bought the house next door in what amounted to an emotional distress sale, so the address was already interesting, and at first I thought that might be … Continue reading →

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Breath Requirements

Posted on October 7, 2015 by sputterpub

There is a woman who rides the express bus from San Francisco to north Berkeley; she looks Scandinavian but she was born and raised in LA. According to her neck she is around fifty, but she colors her pale hair … Continue reading →

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Valley

Posted on September 30, 2015 by sputterpub

“I’m telling you, Kimmy: I think I spoke too loud. As usual. Linda’s been acting weird ever since you and I talked yesterday. She must have overheard. Gawd: she’s only here for two days, and I couldn’t keep my mouth … Continue reading →

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Cedar and Carl

Posted on September 23, 2015 by sputterpub

Her name wasn’t really Cedar. If she’d been younger anyone in Berkeley would believe it, but she was a Boomer, and her parents had never been eccentric. Her birth names were Sharon Elizabeth, and she took on the tree name … Continue reading →

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