Babe Killaire was hot. The hottest, sexiest, most desirable guy in school. 

Obviously. 

Plus, he was clearly way hotter than any of the dudes in bigger, nearby towns too. Or so my sister told me. She is in that awkward, ugly phase that hits most girls around the tenth grade. However, Stephanie’s phase has been going on for several years now.

She clearly had a crush on this Babe Killaire, and I’m pretty certain he would have no idea who she was. Even in a school of less than 200 kids, she is a homely flower on life’s wall. It isn’t all her fault though. At home, she never shuts up. That girl talks a mile a minute. But put her in front of others outside of our house, and the talking nearly stops. And when she tries to join in the conversation, what comes out of her yap is completely inappropriate for one reason or another. She’s socially awkward, you know the type.

Continue reading “A Really Bad Day for Stephanie” →

So I joined a writing group in my new town. So far, so great. Good folks, good discussions, supportive, smart. While waiting for the monthly discussion to begin, one of the women tossed out a writing prompt, if we wanted a topic for the next month: Alleys. Take a walk or look at some alleys in town and write about it. Or a different alley. Whatever. This is a short story I wrote in about 4 hours. It likely requires some editing, since I’ve not shared it yet.

Dogtown

2023

I.

Dan Findley and his black, mostly Labrador dog, Buster, sped along 169 toward the town. The radio blasted a popular song, and the two sang along, both howling in their own key. 

Dan had adopted Buster two years prior, and now the two were rarely apart. They shared a special bond; he’d taught the dog to leap and catch a Frisbee, lie down on command, and fetch his slippers every evening. And Buster had in turn taught Dan about having compassion, responsibility, and patience, as dogs often do.

Dan slowed the vehicle as they approached town and the speed limit dropped. These small towns are usually speed traps, he thought to himself. Buster sat calmly with his head stuck out of the passenger window, tongue lolling in the wind. 

Continue reading “Dogtown” →