The gamble

With each step down the basement stairs, more of my father’s body comes into view. First his Reebok sneakers, followed…

Letter to my childhood neighbor

Dear H, I heard classic rock in the car on the way home the other night. The volume wasn’t up…

The location is the first indicator. This is no casual gym. Way south of downtown Louisville, past the airport, a…

I hear it before I see it. I look right. It approaches around the slight curve, the navy engines bright…

My elementary school’s fundraisers held none of the glamour of today’s efforts. No spaghetti discos, no silent auctions. We sold…

Mounted on telephone poles, pictures of local service members line the avenue into town. These display the members’ dates of…

Between sets, two people in the row in front of me go to the concession stand. Both wear tour shirts. …

I focus on my steps and relax into my stride, making little noise. The steady movement calms my thoughts. I…

The door opens. A man squints, looks at me, and asks, “Just you? Where are your 5 friends?” “What? It’s…

The orchestra tunes up. Long tendrils of sound stream across the crypt. I close my eyes. The instruments stop momentarily.…