So I'm at my friend's book launch eating a second piece of honey cake, listening to a man read a bookish poem called Library. My people, I think, sipping black coffee. I've had a seriously devastating week and swimming in someone else's head is a physical relief. He reads from a napkin covered in ink …
Category: Fiction
Thoughts & Prayers
Such a big, fancy house. She pretended to sleep the last hour, waiting for silence so she could get up and see. Earlier the pretty mother pulled juice from the fridge, a stainless steel box so big it was like a secret room. And she couldn’t look away. Even though they were opening presents. Birthday …
Short Fiction: Rosie & June Get a Room.
Rosie & June “It’s hotter’n Satan’s nutsack.” Rosie shoved a lollipop in her mouth. “Satan’s nutsack?” June glanced over from the driver seat. “Really?” Rosie shrugged, staring between tall pines, blending as they sped past. Louisiana was a convection oven, especially in summer. And they'd spent ample time unsticking thighs from leather seats since crossing state …
Beryl’s Chicken Diary. (End)
(This is the last entry!!) Read from the beginning HERE. ......................... DAY NINETEEN 100% chance. It rained all night. All morning. All afternoon. And it’s still raining. Passing cars splash baby tidal waves and rain gutters pour waterfalls. You know the sound. The girls are huddled together, dry under the porch awning, waiting it out. …
Beryl’s Chicken Diary. (9)
Read from the beginning HERE. .................. DAY SEVENTEEN a chicken called Wanda Tonight I’m in Ollie’s old bed, watching Sophia play. Her room is way better than the bathtub. There’s so much to look at! Twinkly lights, gilded peacock wallpaper, bits of yarn, rainbow pens, swirly fan, picture books, Pokemon cards, soft poofy …
Beryl’s Chicken Diary. (8)
Read from the beginning HERE. ................... DAY FIFTEEN mac-n-cheese This morning I flew out of the tub and waited by the back door. Jennifer smiled super big then let me out with some fresh water and last night’s macaroni and cheese. Ollie came by and sniffed so we shared it. Then we laid …
Beryl’s Chicken Diary. (7)
Read from the beginning HERE. ............... DAY THIRTEEN Ollie Jennifer put me outside for a long time today. I don’t want her to forget she’s a chicken! she declared, which is the dumbest thing I ever heard. If she spent ten days outside, would she forget she’s human? Christopher says she never forgets anything, so I …
Beryl’s Chicken Diary. (6)
Read from the beginning HERE. ................ DAY ELEVEN trapped Ol' spider finally trapped some food tonight. I’m relieved actually, she was looking a little pale. —still. Desperate buzzing is a very sad noise. That poor fly tried to escape, tangling deeper as she inched close, creeping in such a way, I felt glad to be down here. I …
Beryl’s Chicken Diary. (5)
Read from the beginning HERE. ......... DAY NINE Jennifer’s poor choices The humans have a girl hatchling, Sophia. She has very busy hands and hair like a bird’s nest. Everyday she sprays me with oil of the tea trees. She also taps my torn comb with a delicate contraption called a Q-tip. I enjoy her …
Beryl’s Chicken Diary. (4)
Read from the beginning HERE. ........... DAY SEVEN to the bone I’m not mad anymore. Just sore. And listening to humans is interesting. I’m learning lots of new words like predator, nocturnal, hydrogen, and peroxide. They’ve also been researching how to make me better. The Google says I must keep clean and hydrated. So today I ate …