Silver moonlight led Mary to Johnny’s grave. The cold steel in her pocket was as chilled as the swirling mist. Tears stung her eyes. Hugging the wet marble, cheek pressed against his name, Mary’s wracking sobs disrupted the still air, “Johnny! My boy! My baby boy!” Pouring out every last sorrow from her being, she…

Wrought with terror-saturated anxiety, she wondered how she would communicate the truth to Robert. Despite the barrier it would raise for eternity, she owed him at least that much. She rolled the platen, then began typing: Dearest Robert, I gave birth to our son, Johnny, on 3/17/55. He left the hospital with his new parents…

Choose She bought the old manual typewriter on a whim. It seemed to call to her that day in the antique shoppe. Robert was in bed snoring when she set it up in the study. Sipping Merlot, wondering what to type, she needn’t have; as the moment her fingertips rested on asdfjkl; they typed of…

Social Distancing Police (SDP) had their ways of finding us: cell signals; surveillance cams and drones; infrared heat signals. The Elites funded the SDP. Survivors were hunted as if lives depended on it – which they did. Some of us Mutts carried immunity – discerned through (fatal) brain collection and biopsy analysis. The right brains…

Mitch and Rachel found the perfect assisted living center. “Mother will love it. Two bedrooms, one for her computer and books; washer-dryer in-unit; she can bring both cats…” “And the beautiful grounds! Acres of paved paths, lined with roses – it even has a plaza with a fountain!” They moved me in and sold my…

Malcom was raised by the streets. Gang meant family. An observant teacher recognized Malcom’s math skills during his patchy attendance. Mrs. Jones mentored Malcom through high school and found the right scholarships to help him realize his dream – to be a video game programmer. Malcom’s first hit game was called, “Street Life.” It was…

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson I woke up in a dressing room. Frenzied prep permeated. Behind my seat was a make-up person. “Where am I? What’s going on?” The gentleman dusting my cheeks with powder smiled and nodded in the mirror. Preparation complete, I and the rest of the players were pointed towards the stage….