Memory of May Meg Pokrass __________ It might have had something to do with the way he mumbled my name instead of whispering it while doing the cosmic dance. Or how he could no longer jog. Or it may have had something to do with a mystery woman who left…
Read MoreDamages Susan Tepper __________ It is said in the hills peasant women go bare shouldered. On the deserted road I go bare headed in summer. Who is there to see me. Who will notice my lack of propriety. Mock me. Reaching to touch my hair. Tearing me off my horse. Pushing me to the ground. A…
Read MoreThe Headdress Shanti Weiland __________ If it were a gift, the girl could not recall the giver, but it did belong to her. In the mornings, she placed it on her small head and the silver disks lightly clinked like coins. When she wore the headdress, everyone wanted to help…
Read MorePierced Margo Williams __________ Tish missed Caitlin. Mostly she missed who she was when she used to play with Caitlin. Laughing, running, swimming and sharing secrets. Two years had quickly passed, and Tish lost all that stringiness, looking more and more like her mother, soft curves, wavy auburn hair, sad…
Read MorePrey Drive Oliver Brooks __________ I am all mouth. If my teeth were any bigger, they would crowd and fall from my face. They have held up well—I ate rocks when I was young. Gravel. Little greenish, purplish pebbles like kibble or fruity cereal. I was taken to the doctor…
Read MoreThe Teeth Stephanie Hayes __________ Brianna left the baby shower clenching her jaw. She couldn’t believe all those stupid bitches couldn’t figure out the goddamn yarn game. How hard was it? You look at the pregnant lady, try to figure out how disgustingly fat she had gotten because she let…
Read MoreTooth Appointment Ben Larned __________ You don’t remember your last visit to the dentist. It’s been two years, maybe three. All the way here your gums itch. The waiting room has a sickly hue, a chemical smell that reminds you of metal scraping and drills whirring. If it weren’t for…
Read MoreSnappers/The Man on the Mattress Robb T. White __________ “You’re probably wondering what’s going on, right?” Asking yourself, ‘What happened’? ‘Where the hell am I?’ Can’t say I blame you,” he said, watching his eyes focus as he tried to turn his head one way and then the other. They…
Read MoreThe Dentist, The Bootlegger Meghan Louise Wagner __________ The drops went the same each month. I kept my hair under my cap and let Julian do the talking. After the boss counted the crates, he’d crack into a random bottle to sample. He’d take a couple glugs, swish, then nod…
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