By Melissa R. Mendelson “Come on, Ben. Wake up.” He kicked the young boy’s shoulder. “Get up.” “Oh, come on, Henry. It’s early.” He rolled across the floor and pushed the thin shirt under his head closer to him. “Let me just sleep.” “You’ve slept enough. Come on, Ben. Let’s go. We got work toContinue reading “The Wheels Go Round and Round”
Tag Archives: Hard Life
The Education of a Young Gentleman
By Charlie Jacobson And I eat men like air.—from Plath, Sylvia. “Lady Lazarus.” 1962. *** “Charles!” “Uh?” “Richie has a flat.” I rolled out of bed and stumbled after my mother into the kitchen. She thrust a receiver into my hand and lit a Chesterfield. I grunted. “Richie?” “Git your ass over here.” The lineContinue reading “The Education of a Young Gentleman”
Christmas Crime
By John Haymaker Christmas morning held no real surprise for twelve-year-old Xavier. He knew what his elder brother Drake wanted and knew how he’d get it. He wanted a Christmas tree – a real one, not the ball of tumbleweed their step-father Fred suspended from the ceiling like a chandelier each year. Painted white andContinue reading “Christmas Crime”