You didn’t need a reservation for Wren, but you would in three days. The waiter set Charlie’s grilled oysters down between the critic and a pale American ale from Fifth Hammer in Queens. With the window glass removed, May breezes ruffled the hibiscus centerpiece. The foodies had sniffed out Mark Wren like a truffle, and … More The Sprig
Father told me nature reveals creation through paradox. It sits at the center of contradiction, gleams in the contrast of opposites, makes known from the unknown, dispels the dark to view sacred light. Wisdom that guides me still to provide remedies for villagers long after Father’s death who dared share the mysteries with a daughter—a … More The Lesser One
Uncle slapped my hand. “Always salute our Fuhrer with your right hand, Hilde!” My right elbow clutched the doll close to my chest; a present for my fifth birthday. When I was told to raise my arm, I used my left. On that day, I did not want to acknowledge the monster who sent my … More Munich Central Train Station 1939
A deceptive mind can be concealed neatly by innocent black eyes. A sweet smile can hide vicious plans with dexterity. Mampi learnt that at thirteen. Her 25-year-old mother scrubbed floors, cleaned dirty linen in the big house next to her slum. She wore torn sarees. But Mampi wasn’t like her mother. She would buy that … More Fairy Dress
David’s in my face, then Ricky. Please not Ricky, my heart racing. “Worst crash they’ve ever had on I-70.” I can’t move. David, I beg with my eyes. Trying to blink. “Crippled. Can’t hear us, she’s a vegetable.” But I can, I can hear you. I’m here, my David. See me. Help me. David, in … More Locked-In Syndrome
He loves me, he is guilty for all the things he couldn’t save me from. I hate that. I hate the guilt. I take off my shoes and slide across the floor. It’s freshly waxed, Chris tells me, and I skate around like I’m six, not sixteen and Chris teases me for my socks, which … More I Don’t Trust Me
He asks how many pillows I’ve got and I tell him forty-two. We fortify the pillow fort and get drunk. I’m drunk enough that I start laughing at everything he says and he starts lisping. Words sound desperately funny to me. He hits me with his bony elbow and confirms he’s drunk. Then he closes … More I Trust You
My brother stands in the kitchen with a knife. He chops vegetables and I watch him, looking for signs of blood. He notices me and asks what the fuck I’m doing. I tell him I’m doing nothing and I don’t take my eyes off his hands, even as he points the knife at me and … More I Don’t Trust You
Poodles are not dangerous creatures unless provoked. Take the time when evangelists knocked on my front door insisting on converting the household. Gracie, an elegant, empathetic and extremely intelligent companion, stood by my side listening with her cocked head wondering what sort of nonsense was being thrown our way. When the tiny mob of zealots … More Dangerous Poodles
This time He didn’t hold back the hand slaughtering Isaac. Six million Isaacs. And there was no Abraham so whom was He testing? Isaac? Probably. Look at me, Isaac, my flesh marked with the pact, and I’m still here and he’s still my god and I wouldn’t deny him for all the nihilism and the … More Isaac
The Centifictionist 
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