Bailey’s Birthday
I slumped on the couch after putting Bailey to bed. A few minutes later, I heard her laughing. She was sitting up, staring at the wall. “You okay, baby?” I asked…. Read more »
Monstrous Things
It was the right time to leave. I would miss the savory taste of Amira’s screams on my tongue and the comforting way they filled my belly. I didn’t want… Read more »
Purgatory in Binary
Garrett wasn’t what Susan expected. She usually went for the intellectuals, the bankers or the attorneys. You know, the ones who post professional head shots even on online dating sites…. Read more »
Holding On
She takes hot showers despite the humidity. On the fogged mirror, her finger writes messages to him. When she opens the window, the vapor mingles with the air outside, like… Read more »
Rekindle
In my tiny, oven-like kitchen, I persist. I throw in a handful of red chilies and garam masala into the smoking oil. The tempering screams, promising to ignite something within. Still,… Read more »
The Anthropologist’s Daughter
The anthropologist sat cross-legged on the ashram floor, listening to a woman in saffron robes and a shorn head. A veil of serenity kissed the woman’s meth teeth and the… Read more »
Should I Stop or Should I Go?
It was a dark and stormy night, sheets of rain angrily lashed on to Harold’s car which was hurtling down the deserted I-680; when his heart jumped at the shocking… Read more »
The Savant
“Seven minutes, Mommy’s dying.” Jason repeated. Trisha shut the burner. “Honey, relax! You’ve named the Presidents thrice.” Jason pulled in a hose and sprayed her. In another universe, Trisha was… Read more »
The Night Watchman
Last night, she claimed another victim. He jumped off the roof, like she had ten years back. I took up this job to stay close to her. But the… Read more »
Coming of Age
The butcher’s son stood behind the wooden block and bit his nails. A thin stream of sweat trickled down his forehead. Thud! His father heaved an unconscious goat on to… Read more »