The Real Smokehouse
“Marcus,” Tasha said, with the receipt tape curling in her hand, “why is the name of your father on that envelope, from that big ham company?” The line of forty …
The Real Smokehouse Read MoreBlog
Two Dollars Friday
“Baby,” said the mother of Tiana, still holding her fork over her good china plate, “why does your grandmother have a letter from the lottery?” The table went silent. DeShawn …
Two Dollars Friday Read MoreThe Green Lure
Kevin looked at the envelope, and then at the logo in the corner, and then through the kitchen curtains at the sticker of the same company in the rear window …
The Green Lure Read MoreSaturday Stamps
“Tyler,” my son said again, holding the pawn ticket up to the light of the dining room chandelier, “what is this for?” The cake sat uncut between us, with twenty …
Saturday Stamps Read MoreLine Fourteen
My father in law held the page with both hands, as if it might bite. Line fourteen. CAT 320. Serial number circled in red. Behind him the pool lights were …
Line Fourteen Read MoreThe Green Notebooks
“Dale,” Bonnie said, holding the photocopy in her trembling hand, “that is the box you told me was for your fishing magazines.” The church fellowship hall went so quiet I …
The Green Notebooks Read MoreTable Nineteen
“Gloria,” Ron said again, “who paid for the flowers?” Two hundred guests in silk and linen were looking at the head table. The band had stopped mid song. Gloria sat …
Table Nineteen Read MoreThe Little Latch
“Darren,” Crystal said again, her finger still resting on the last zero, “why does Uncle Vernon have nine million dollars in his account?” The bounce house hissed behind us. A …
The Little Latch Read MoreThe Rum Cake Oven
Father Joe held the letter of the Abruzzi family up to the light of the church basement, as if checking whether it were real, and the silence in that room …
The Rum Cake Oven Read MoreThe Captain Hat
“Daddy,” Kayla said again, “why do you have your hospital bill from May?” The country music was still playing, and a cooler lid slammed somewhere behind me, and thirty people …
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