"Dropping hints doesn't work."
I thought I was obvious. We normally went to bed an hour later than it was. “There’s nothing on TV,” I said. “I’m taking a shower,” I said. “And then I’m going to bed,” I said. “Good idea. I’m right behind...
"We all know that guy. He has a way with words but he’s really bad news."
He was armed with his mask and his mirror. He was cloaked in finery. He flipped on the thesaurus in his head and readied his rhymes. He stepped up, stepped over, stepped into the arena, expecting his mark; today’s woman...
"He admitted he was wrong and they had to find a way to work things out."
I really did it this time. Normally, she’d come up with some little way to punish me when I screwed up, and then get angry when I don’t notice my punishment. Confrontation wasn’t our thing, but she was waiting for...
"Wish-fulfilling perversion of the neighbors."
My cigarette dangled as I poured another glass of whiskey (vodka? gin?). I watched Tony and Cassy from the window above my sink of unwashed dishes, kissing by their new mini-van; all smiley and bouncy. They weren’t as virtuous as...
"She hypnotizes a man who once took advantage of her."
BEGINNING OF THE END“Five, you’re more and more relaxed. Four, you’re almost there, almost in that peaceful, accepting place. Three, my soothing voice is all that matters. Two, you have never been so relaxed and lazy. One. Sleep.” We were in...
"Be aware of what you declare."
Now what? First things first, I fished my bra through the arm of my tee. I don’t need one anyway, mostly, and I do my best thinking when I can get rid of it. I tossed it over my shoulder...
"He promised to pull out, but he didn’t, and so they fell."
The orange sun was dipping behind the distant hills, its remaining light shimmering across the still pond. Yesh and Shalay knelt in the soft grass at the edge of the woods, facing the water. Yesh pushed her round, muscular haunches...
"Treated"
Parents had taken their trick-or-treaters home. The moon was mostly full but mostly hidden by clouds. Sometimes it broke through a little bit, sometimes it was veiled and dark and sometimes it shined bright and drove most of the darkness...
"She admitted she was wrong and they had to find a way to work things out."
I was scared. I was scared that he wouldn’t come home and that he would. I had never seen him like that. He had actually slammed the door. Purposely, purposefully slammed it. He was mad with anger; his face proved...
"After the grandkids are asleep, babysitters do what babysitters do."
Mia tiptoed back to the living room and settled next to Jon, all worn out. “Why didn’t you turn on the TV?” “No reason,” Jon replied. “Are the kids asleep?” “Finally. I hope so.” Mia picked up the baby monitor. “They still...