Clear the Mind, Part 2: Conclusion

Can bugs get cysts? What about cancer? I suddenly wonder. I consider checking cicada bodies for unusual growths. There’s a flashlight in the car, and I have time. It’s Friday, and I don’t have commitments tomorrow.
Curiosity gets me. The Mag-Lite is snug between the driver’s seat and door. Feeling slightly ridiculous, I ignore the “Park [...]

Clear the Mind, Part 1

The cicadas are deafening. I don’t mind. They drive fear away. Surrounded by a thick stand of trees that leads into the forest preserve, I embrace the cacophony.
Shady oaks shield me from murderous sunshine. Pale skin is safe here. Liberal doses of insect repellent will protect me from West Nile Virus, Rocky Mountain Spotted [...]

Kell-Bell’s Regrets

Kelly wished for more. More time, more life, more. There was too much done that had to be undone, but she was out of time.
She reached for the list. Her former volleyball team was halfway down. With a frail hand, she used a pencil to etch them away. One less care. Dozens to go. Back [...]

The Dead Curmudgeon

What the hell? How dare they use my money for that!
It had been six months since they buried his coffin on the moon. Kathy knew he opposed to makingt contact. The Space Elevator was transport, not a friggin’ antenna…
☼
“The George M. Gates Trust is proud to announce a go-date for Earth’s first transmission to the [...]

The Fourth Hurdle

Recycled tired under toes, knees, hands. Metal blocks looking down a highway of obstacles. Eyes forward, straining for the end of the road.
A voice causes slight movement. Runners poised to start. Muscles tensed, ready. Over the first hurdle before the loud pop echoes away.
There are no flashes, cheers, or shouts. It is only rubber, metal, [...]

Just Desserts

Newsprint runs off the pages, across my fingers, palms, legs, everywhere.
Today’s headlines won’t hold still for me to capture them. I want to know if anyone died in that highway pileup. The verdict to that mafia case is supposed to be in the paper now. I haven’t even got to the comics yet.
I’m going to [...]

The Butterflies

I’ve loved butterflies since I was a little boy. Intricate wing patterns are hypnotic. Some soothe, others agitate. All fascinate.
I discovered a talent a few years ago. They can’t resist my whistle. It’s a special tune, and nobody else knows it. I won’t ever share the melody. You see, when I call, the butterflies do [...]

Shirley, You’ll Bake No More

Baking… baking… baking…
Shirley stared at the temperature gauge, willing it to drop. Ninety-seven degrees outside. One hundred eleven inside. Dry heat wouldn’t be so bad, but the air was so humid in the condo that its metallic taste was overwhelming.
The power company adds an hour on to its promised restoration every time she calls. They [...]

Flat Tire

Gina’s bicycle tire went flat.
She was on a back road halfway home from work, and it was the hottest day of the year. The emergency kit’s pump was jammed. She let more air out than in when she tried to use it.
Sweat geysered from her scalp to her toes. She’d been trying to lose twenty [...]

The Death Wick

The Candle of Life sputtered. Then it died. Lavender wax congealed around the cooling wick.
Novice Kolstem clapped hands to mouth to block a scream. He looked to the black candle on the other wall. It remained dark.
Kolstem dug through the pockets in his robe. He found the spark maker and held it over the Candle [...]