Gordon Laws

The Gray Lady, 2

So, of course, with ice cream cups in hand, we all started back out into the sub-freezing temperatures. You could see the river across the street, and a moderate northeast breeze came off the water, biting into my face. “Ma’am!” I called, but she kept walking, and I noticed as she did that she wasContinue reading “The Gray Lady, 2”

Get Off the Idiot Box

Lucille Hill, his grandmother, is stooped over with arthritis, probably not even 5’3″. Her fingers are crooked, and her back hurts constantly. She frequently has him, his mother, or his brother use a vibrating massager to rub it out at night. She is a direct descendant of many different Mormon pioneers, Clara Mellor of MartinContinue reading “Get Off the Idiot Box”

Covid, Not Plymouth 400

He is sitting on the living room couch when the vision unfolds. The vision is so clear that he cannot sit still. He arises and goes out to walk the neighborhood. The original pilgrims are everywhere—their spirits are ministering, helping the heirs of the Kingdom. Millions mill around the city for Plymouth 400, and theContinue reading “Covid, Not Plymouth 400”

I Will Erase You: The Gray Lady

Author’s Note: This is the first entry in the serial publication of a novel I’m working on. It helps to have read the other works in The Dead Who Repent. The main characters here come from Where Mercy Died and continue a story started there. Characters from Books 1 and 3 also appear. However, readingContinue reading “I Will Erase You: The Gray Lady”

Ass-Face-Itis

The boy has been vomiting all day, and he’s had a touch of diarrhea at least once. It’s Christmas break, and his dad is off of work, so today, they watched Gone with the Wind and Patton, now they are about to start Ike. As Dad opens the Blockbuster rental box, he smiles and laughsContinue reading “Ass-Face-Itis”

Smite Their Enemies, Lord Jesus

They were asked into the house with barely an introduction. It is a black family with two parents and at least six kids. They are faithful people who believe the scriptures ardently, respect what the elders are doing, but are satisfied to continue with their church and not learn about the Book of Mormon. ElderContinue reading “Smite Their Enemies, Lord Jesus”

The Shadow in the Room

The shadow is in their room again. He sits on the foot board. He has substance—you cannot see through him—but is shadow. When he is near, death feels close by, like a cold stone sitting on the man’s chest. It is nights like these that his father’s aging body appears. “What’s wrong?” “What do youContinue reading “The Shadow in the Room”

My Dad Will Beat Up Your Dad

They are in the apartment quad together with Tommy. Tommy has stolen an unhooked padlock from somewhere. Strangely, the unhooked part has a sharp point on it. “Check it out.” And he pokes Stephen’s hand. Stephen starts to cry. “Why did you do that?” “I thought it was cool.” “It wasn’t.” He punches Tommy inContinue reading “My Dad Will Beat Up Your Dad”

You’ll Thank Me Later

They are here because of preeclampsia. Lauren is a type 1 diabetic, and at 37 weeks, her blood pressure has gone up, and protein has been found in her urine. She called Gordon away from work that afternoon, Lauren’s mother, Marti, met them at the hospital, and they have been preparing for a C-section allContinue reading “You’ll Thank Me Later”

Christmas Dinner

It is their first Christmas as a married couple. They are spending it in Corpus Christi with the man’s parents. Stephen and Lydia are planning to stop by in another hour or so. The presents are all unwrapped, and everyone is now exhausted from the excitement wearing off. Around 3 pm, Lauren says, “I’m supposedContinue reading “Christmas Dinner”