Category Archives: Fiction

It was never calm in room 312 when Michelle was there. She smoked incessantly and she tossed her lit matches into the round metal waste basket. After the third trashcan fire, Mel had to conclude that Michelle liked the flames. … Continue reading →

There was a posse of guys from Wilmington, but after some sifting three emerged distinct: two Alans and a Moe. The first Alan was brilliant at math and adept at French, and he was just then changing his name spelling … Continue reading →

Well sure Mel has a split personality. Who doesn’t? It’s not a problem unless it’s a problem. She’s always been bright. Very cerebral. And she’s always been fascinated with sex. So she has two strains of relationships: the deviants and … Continue reading →

No lifelong relationships came out of Room 6, but none of them forgot their time together. Melanie’s family moved out of the area at the beginning of her junior year in high school, but she corresponded with a few friends … Continue reading →

Melanie was spending so much time in Room 6 that she was starting to think of it as her own. She had to share it with a few boys, but they weren’t objecting to her little acts of propriety, and … Continue reading →

Her parents were at the front door when she got home. Melanie felt a sudden urge to go, possibly owing to all the beans. “I need the bathroom.” “I knew you wouldn’t use theirs,” said her mother as Melanie edged … Continue reading →

Sheba wasn’t invited to the Halloween birthday party. Nor were the neighborhood babies. The cut-off age was five. Melanie’s brother Brad didn’t get to attend. The status that exclusivity granted to Melanie more than made up for her inadequate costume. … Continue reading →

The weather was mild. The sun had gone down an hour before and had taken none of the autumn warmth with it. The yard was lit with paper lanterns strung like big Christmas ornaments from the maple trees. The tables … Continue reading →