Volume 18, Issue 3

Strawberry Sale 

My mother texts me a link to a local news story: “8-year-old boy dies after eating strawberries from school fundraiser.” I sit on the toilet, bleeding, as I read this headline. I am 6 weeks postpartum, and my period has already returned. Not just some spotting – a full, heavy period. My body, ready to go.  My almost-8-year-old boy just… Read more →

My Too-Big Dog

You  are  too big for my apartment.  Too big for my life.  That was what people told  me  anyway. People  say  that  I  should  just  get  a  small dog,  like a  yorkie,  maybe a frenchie.  But  nothing too big. Nothing that requires too much. Nothing like you: a 65lb Doberman pinscher who could pull  a  sled  and obstinately eat off the… Read more →

Iced Out Hell

All humans have the right to magic, brujas y brujos. The spells important in the late night fadings of consciousness, trying to go to sleep by taking the position of a sleeping body. The theme of the class is Trouble. I’ve been in it, I’ve tried to get into it. The waitlist was too long. In the night, in a… Read more →

Power

I’ll tell you the best Bible story. My version is Best but you can check the original if you want. So Jesus is getting pretty big at this point; he’s really blowing up. Folks are following him and he’s marching on, disciples are striding and streaking next to him; you know Jesus always rides twelve people deep. This woman sees… Read more →

Bartending School

I worked at the Speedway in Orlando, a race car themed restaurant. Blue Sunoco leaded gasoline pumps on either side of the entrance. A Red Lion Gilmore pump by the restrooms. Motor oil drums transformed into gleaming seats in the cocktail lounge. Sheet metal walls with wavy images of a Bluebird V, a Stanley Steamer. Race car drivers in caps,… Read more →

driving lessons

I preach labor exploitation in the name of Christto my mom as I tell her about the youth group service trip I just finishedand she says, try being a stay at home motheras I sit next to herlike an uncashed check. I’m driving through smokefrom fires three time zones away and,if a tree falls in the forest and you find… Read more →