Plausible Deniability

By Richard L. Matta I’m ocean fishing for striped bass (“Stripers”) … deliberately within cell phone range of home, where they’ll be another battle on her birthday. Conscience restrained me before, but sometimes events push you beyond your tipping point—tear away decency, set actions in motion which can’t be undone, exposing you to new risks.Continue reading “Plausible Deniability”

The Paris Express

By Jonathan Wilkins Élodie met him in a faded restaurant in a small, rainy town Saint-Mars-la-Brière on the main line between Tours and Paris. There were mirrors on the walls all around the room. Over his shoulder she could see herself reflected a dozen times; it made her blink. She wasn’t sure which face wasContinue reading “The Paris Express”

Dirty Blog 6

By Dick Johnson I was at work at the hardware store today, when the Parole Officer showed up. He’s been showing up more often lately. I wonder if he knows something. He’s a dick, but I can’t really complain because he gives me a lot of leeway. He wanted me to piss in a cupContinue reading “Dirty Blog 6”

Do You Like Masks?

By Dick Johnson Gary Longbow stood at the entrance to Bath Smells Galore in the mall; He had a little table set up where he had a display of scented hand sanitizers. A man and a woman came to the entrance and started to enter. “Excuse me! But, could you please sanitize your hands beforeContinue reading “Do You Like Masks?”

Height Advantage

by John Mahoney My iPhone buzzed in my pocket, the alert I’d programmed into its memory. Barnes & Noble captivates me, but Wyler wouldn’t want to hear that. I shelved the manga neatly with its siblings. My left hand was at my side, and I looked down, feeling a tug of its pinkie. The girlContinue reading “Height Advantage”