Hard Life Story by Dick Johnson (Graphic Sex Warning) Tommy held the window open so Mandy could climb inside the old brick building. It was sometime in the 80’s and Tommy was going to get laid for the first time. Her parents were at the flea market in the park across the street. They wereContinue reading “It Stank!”
Category Archives: Hard Life
A Long Walk
Poetry by Ralph La Rosa This winter night two fugitives from Jackson Prison rob his store out in suburbs where he lives, blind and bind him, knock him out, stuff him on their Dodge’s floor, and drive him north for Canada. They startle him awake before the border, yank him out, unblind his eyes. He’sContinue reading “A Long Walk”
Honor Thy Father
Poetry by Ralph La Rosa Ray’s father groaned: In the store, below the petty cash drawer. Bring it to me. Hurry. Before they all come home. Ray raced to the store and back— to lightning’s cracking thunder to hail stones pelting limbs of acorn-bleeding oak trees and shivering rooftop tiles. As green wood hissed inContinue reading “Honor Thy Father”
Shots Ring Out
By Matthew Senn My daddy was a paranoid man. Had every right to be too, ‘course. He’d always figgered someone would come lookin’ for ‘im one day. Never went into much more detail than that. One mornin’, he hears some shots ring out. He was a corn farmer then, our patch a land went fromContinue reading “Shots Ring Out”
His Funeral
Poetry by Ralph La Rosa Leaning close, Frank whispers urgently,“You shoulda wore a black suit, this’s navy,”not the first to remind Vic as old guys squeezehis hand until it hurts. Black suits and ties. Frank hangs on tight, face angry, sad and sorry:“Your dad’s partner, Tony, he’s insulting him.”Vic had quit the seminary, assured hisContinue reading “His Funeral”
I’m For You, If You’re For Me
Crime Fiction by Jack Smiles The first time Rex heard the song he was in the car alone. He flipped out. He wanted to pull over, rip the damn radio out of the dash and beat it to death with a hammer. The second time he and his girlfriend, Angie, were hanging out on aContinue reading “I’m For You, If You’re For Me”
Snuff
by Daniel Robinson “Ah, but I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.”–Bob Dylan Some days in October, Seattle can be an old city without any hope as the clouds huddle heavy above the city, threatening another rain. The buildings between First and Second Avenues block even the stray bits of sunlightContinue reading “Snuff”
Have You Ever Written A Suicide Note?
By Lipika Pande There are only a few who can describe the experience, and you are unfortunately one of those. You are divided into parts; one that wishes for a miracle, for someone to call and ask, “Hey, you need help?”. For a sign to tell you, this is not what you’re supposed to do.Continue reading “Have You Ever Written A Suicide Note?”
Anger, Lust and Greed
By Scotch Rutherford June 8, 1980 Max was up before the sun. It was a habit he couldn’t shake. Three tours will do that to you. The hooker from the night before was asleep in her clothes next to him. He had that clammy feel on his skin, like he was covered in hair gel.Continue reading “Anger, Lust and Greed”
Harvest Season
By Amanda Eiden Three swift kicks is all it takes for Otis to break down the front door. It cracks from the hinges and hits the floor with a snap. Jackson and Dewey step inside. Their feet in sync. Cool air. Soft television static. Popcorn pops from the stove. Otis glances around before stepping inside.Continue reading “Harvest Season”