I was getting ready to write a post in which I included some screenshots from my text messages, and I realized that, for the uninitiated, they might be confusing. One of the people writing is “Post Malone,” and another is “Robert Rage,” and my dear readers might wonder who those are. At one point, weContinue reading “Halloween Special: The Gallery of Terror”
Tag Archives: Fathers
My Own At-Home Civil War Surgery
I took Dobby for a Sunday hike before it got too rainy. I was clothed appropriately for the woods–boots, jeans, and long-sleeved sweatshirt. Nevertheless, later that morning, I scratched an itch on my back, felt a lump, checked it in the mirror, and saw an embedded tick. You probably know that I have had LymeContinue reading “My Own At-Home Civil War Surgery”
Bonus Post: Let’s Give Credit Where It Is Due
The day after I posted about Lil Pebis, the kids caught on to details of the story that I hadn’t regarded as terribly significant. First, we got this text from Lindsay over the family group chat (which, yes, is called The Goons): So credit to Lindsay for parenting Graham. On a related note, Silver LakeContinue reading “Bonus Post: Let’s Give Credit Where It Is Due”
Adulting through Car Trouble
Lauren was on the road Saturday to and from Grant’s game. She called me at one point from the wilds of western New York. “Lindsay called me,” she said. “They’re going to Carson’s house in Athens but the Corolla can’t detect the key anymore. That’s just the key fob, right?” “Probably,” I said. “You usuallyContinue reading “Adulting through Car Trouble”
Straight Outta the Burbs
I confess we basically don’t parent Graham. For a few days, he’s been talking about how he is killing it in this sim game called Music Wars Rock Star. So we went out to dinner, and I got him to tell me all about it. You create a character who is a rapper or singer,Continue reading “Straight Outta the Burbs”
Not One of Those Days
This is part of an ongoing group of flash stories capturing little moments from daily life. The leaves and pine needles down in the yard were finally too much, so I mowed the lawn yesterday. I have a yard covering probably 1.5 acres, and I mow it with a Husqvarna riding mower that has aContinue reading “Not One of Those Days”
Something Has Happened to You
This is the opening section of a novel draft I have just completed. It’s a mix of horror and suspense. What scared me most as a kid were ordinary things I didn’t understand, and I spent a lot of time afraid—afraid of parents dying, being hit by hurricanes, becoming a victim of violent crime orContinue reading “Something Has Happened to You”
Murder Ward
The man’s son was dressed in his white shirt and tie and sitting at a desk in Paraguay; the man viewed him on screen through Facebook Messenger. His son coughed hard. “You sound sick,” said the man. “I’m not sick, Dad,” said Elder Laws. “I just went shopping, and they took my temperature and IContinue reading “Murder Ward”
Stop Snitching
Their cheeks were pink from the cold air, but they were both sweating from their run. “Lindsay was being a jerk, Dad,” said Grant. “Oh my gosh!” Lindsay exclaimed. She looked at the man. “He was soooo slow.” “It’s not my fault. I haven’t worked out in, like, six weeks.” “So the Missionary Training CenterContinue reading “Stop Snitching”
No, I Am Your Father
In week three of online school with all extracurriculars canceled, they are now in episode V of Star Wars. The kids’ phones are at their sides. They have watched an episode per night–one night they made popcorn, another they made sundaes with packs from Peaceful Meadows. They have watched in chronological order, supposedly as GeorgeContinue reading “No, I Am Your Father”
His Smile Lit Up a Room and Other Things to Say at My Funeral 