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“The Most Mysterious Way Possible” was published by the print and digital magazine,  Pravic, issue 3, June 2013.

“The Most Mysterious Way Possible” opening paragraph:

The nurse’s hair needs a good shampoo. She’s pretty in a worn out, haggard sort of way in her green scrubs with the nametag that says, “Tammy,” and her white Keds that are starting to turn yellow. She’s worried about her daughter, who is home right now with her alcoholic husband, who used to be a painter back when people cared enough to paint their houses. Maybe she’s told me all these things, but I really can’t remember. I can’t remember anything, not even my own name until the nurse hands me a Teddy Bear and says, “ Karma, I want you to cough as hard as you can. Let those lungs know you’re the boss.”

You can order issues of Pravic here: http://www.pravicmagazine.com/#!

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“Scarrier Than a Shower” was published in the e-magazine, Midwestern Gothic, issue 9, Spring, 2013.

“Scarrier Than a Shower” opening paragraphs:

“Liz is gone. Ain’t nothin’ I can do about that.” It’s the only thought that don’t slip out of my head before I finished thinking it. That’s how it is when you live alone. You start talking to your wife who had to go away two years ago. You hear her moving in the chair where she used to sit all day long and watch her programs.

If Liz was still here she’d say, “Lowell, there’s someone at the door.”  

I smile at the empty chair.

“Answer the door Lowell,” is what I think she’d tell me. I think it so damned hard I swear I hear it.

You can buy issues or subscribe to Midwestern Gothic here: http://midwestgothic.com/issues/

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“Funeral Service” was published in the on line and print magazine, The Rampallian,volume volume1, issue 3, winter 2013.

“Funeral Service” opening paragraphs:

We all have our jobs at the Mitchell Funeral home. Papa fixes the dearly departed so they look like they’re asleep, uncle William sells coffins, Momma makes arrangements, and I help the bereaved remember what they’ve lost.

Children’s services are the hardest.

Momma says, “You never know what’s going to happen when it’s a little one.” She walks through the viewing room straightening chairs, making sure the tissue boxes are full. Nobody’s looking at little Jimmy Johnson in his custom made coffin, or Jimmy’s mother sitting in the family row trying to ignore what she came here for.

You can find current and back issues of The Rampallian here: http://www.therampallian.com

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“Werewolf Night” Was published in the on line magazine Litro, Feb. 5, 2013.

“Werewolf Night” opening paragraphs:

Sleep always takes Jack by surprise now that he’s turned fifty. His legs can’t find a comfortable spot, his mind won’t turn off, he doesn’t feel as tired as he did a minute ago, but when he’s about to give it up—Pop! He’s in a brand new world.

Somewhere he doesn’t recognize.

Somewhere things sneak up on him.

Like the final exam for a college class he never attended.

Like standing in a crowded room where no one notices his pants are missing.

Like the most sexually exciting thing in the world that isn’t really sex at all. Not quite anyway.

You can find out more about Litro here: http://www.litro.co.uk

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“Sacred Alarm Clock” was published in the on line magazine Open Road Review, issue 4, Feb. 2, 2013.

“Sacred Alarm Clock” opening paragraphs:

Foster mom has so many complaints they stick in the back of her throat. Her lips move without sound, the way a fish prays to be thrown back in the water. I cup my hands behind my ears so I’ll be ready when the first words break free.

Listening with the biggest possible ears. Listening the way Apaches always do when white people speak. I wiggle my fingers so the fosters will know I’m trying hard, but it doesn’t help.

Dad squeezes his fingers into a ball, holding his anger so it can’t get away.

Mom tells me, “Stop acting crazy, Wylie.”

You can find “Sacred Alarm Clock” and man other excellent stories here: http://www.openroadreview.in