Tag Archives: Fiction

by venusmairena | 03/14/2024 · 5:30 am

Surrender

by Kristi Ferguson

He learned if he could make Mom laugh, everything would be okay.

He relied on that certainty when she discovered him sneaking to the corner store, first for candy, then for beer and cigarettes. He used it when he was months behind on child support after the first unplanned pregnancy, before the DNA results came back and the baby turned out not to be his. It was there again when he admitted to the second baby, which was his, after Mom received a midnight Facebook message from the pregnant ex-girlfriend, telling her everything. Continue reading →

The Gargoyles of il Duomo di Milano

by William Hawkins

Not much troubles the gargoyles of il Duomo di Milano. They feel neither rain nor wind nor the scratch of lichen. They jut into space blind and deaf. Though I have heard they do know the sun, as even light can enter stone. Continue reading →

Axe-Throwing with Seniors

by J. T. Townley

Most of us can barely lift the axes, much less fling them at the target. Not only do we miss the bullseye, most of our throws clatter to the floor. Any blades that sink into the wood, even well outside those concentric circles, send us into conniptions of artificial joy and feigned delight.

Whose bright idea was this? Continue reading →

In Accordance With

by Mandira Pattnaik

When you feel neglected, you should devour your husband instead of starving yourself, instead of wondering what ruins you haunt: says mother when I tell her about a slap, a chipped tooth, about brothers-in-law ogling, about mysterious cold beef and fermented rice beer in the husband’s bag, Continue reading →

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Tagged as Fiction, flash fiction, Hawai'i Pacific Review, Mandira Pattnaik, Short Story

by hipacificreview | 12/07/2023 · 5:27 am

A Little Too Much Jesus

by John Picard

“Please order a drink everyone,” Kate said. “I mean it, Chuck. I know how you like your vodka martinis.”

“Are you sure?” Laura said.

“Positive. We talked a lot about social drinking at the Center. A big part of recovery is abstaining around other drinkers. This’ll be good practice.”

“I’ll feel awfully funny if I do,” Laura said.

“I’ll feel awfully funny if you don’t. I’m serious. The house chardonnay is excellent here.”

“Let me just say, Katie,” Chuck said, “that you’re one of the strongest, bravest women I know.”

I could feel some pressure on my right temple. I couldn’t be around Chuck, a car salesman with the personality to match, without a getting a headache.

“Anyway,” Laura said, “you look fantastic. You really do.”

“I lost sixteen pounds. That’s what cutting a thousand liquid calories out of your daily diet will do.” Continue reading →

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Tagged as alcoholism, Fiction, John Picard, recovery, Religion