Category Archives: Fiction

Gluten

Posted on February 22, 2017 by sputterpub

Emma breasts the room like an ocean liner. She’s plump and appears corseted, but the effect is owing to good posture and a tight bodice. I think dowager when I look at her. I’m forty-six, the youngest of the five … Continue reading →

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Record Snow

Posted on February 15, 2017 by sputterpub

Libby isn’t a comfortable traveler. It doesn’t matter how often she’s been someplace; she gets nervous before leaving home and a part of her stays home, pulling her back like a drafting compass, making her count the hours or days … Continue reading →

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Collected Comments

Posted on February 8, 2017 by sputterpub

Rachel’s second marriage was a mistake. After it ended, the only good things she could say were: “Well, I certainly learned how to live with stress!” and… “At least it got me out of my first marriage.” No one would … Continue reading →

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Spinning Wheels

Posted on February 1, 2017 by sputterpub

1962 was one of those memorable years for Melanie. She was 12 for it (January birthday), on the cusp of adolescence, her vision widening with every week. That was the summer her parents first let her out of the house … Continue reading →

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Once Upon a Neighborhood

Posted on January 25, 2017 by sputterpub

I never really liked the block. Moving there in 1983 was a marital concession. I didn’t want to have it all my way; I tried give-and-take with my second spouse. He was nine years older than I, born months before … Continue reading →

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Overdone

Posted on January 18, 2017 by sputterpub

“I tell you, she was beside herself!” “I would be too. Imagine finding your child like that.” “Linda isn’t exactly a child.” “Oh come on! What is she: sixteen? How would you feel if you found Melanie passed out in … Continue reading →

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Sarah

Posted on January 11, 2017 by sputterpub

“This afternoon is for the birds,” Sarah thought. And then she smiled. She felt that, because she hadn’t been smiling much lately. She paid a little attention. She was looking at her yard, noting the lively population of dark-headed little … Continue reading →

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Bad Party

Posted on January 4, 2017 by sputterpub

I visited the periodontist recently. Irv’s a master at one-way conversation; he has to be, because my mouth is always filled with his fingers and his instruments. While he was scraping and analyzing my broken wisdom tooth, he talked to … Continue reading →

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Jerry’s Phone and Anne’s Bag

Posted on December 28, 2016 by sputterpub

I was raised by a precise man. My father was an engineer worthy of the term. His field was mechanical, but he acquired an electrical license in middle age. He understood all construction. He could repair most. Dad taught me … Continue reading →

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Many Happy Returns

Posted on December 21, 2016 by sputterpub

My mother is a wizard at returning merchandise. Like a builder who gets more gratification from demolition than construction, she seems to enjoy returning more than acquiring. When I was young, I’d often come home from school to find her … Continue reading →

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