Uncertain Shape

Arlen finished his spreadsheet and shut the laptop. It was an hour past quitting time, but he had achieved an advantageous position for tomorrow. He sat back and rubbed his eyes. Grainy. He gazed at the ornate bookcase across the room — oak with scrollwork — a gift from his mother. The first shelf held… — read more

Emma was typing up an email to her department when she got the notification. She glanced at her watch and saw that it was her coffee rewards app. Curious, she pulled out her phone. “You’ve reached enough points to qualify for a BOGO coffee. Come on in before Friday to claim your reward!” Emma saved… — read more

Nora was dusting the keys of the piano with her fingers. A descending scale of noise filled the room. She looked around, self-consciously, to see if she had an audience. Up front, near the door, sat Jenny. She was in the perfect position to run, but her body was trembling. Another night, and Jenny cried.… — read more

The timer went off; Dana dismissed it. In the kitchen, she took the bag out of the tea. Earl Grey. About to take a sip, she paused and said, “No, it’s gloomy. Let’s have honey tonight.” She grabbed a jar from the cupboard. It was the best thing for tea. She tried to twist the… — read more

She looked up. The street lamp was flickering. She moved closer. Freezing rain was falling on her head, and now there was a possibility that she would have to endure it in the dark. Another step towards the lamp. She prayed it wouldn’t go out. She heard a door shut behind her. Turning to look,… — read more

Jared stood within the limits of the lantern and watched the dark. The room was cold. His sweater was threadbare; it let in the chill. He sat down near the lantern, warm. His shadow cast onto the edge of light. The lantern’s reach edged away from the dark. His head whipped up. Jared couldn’t remember… — read more

Doctor Hansel came into the waiting room. The lights were dim, and the chairs were vacant. Across the street, through the front window, he watched an old couple walking a small, orange dog. They each wore yellow rain slickers. Their hoods were down. The elder man bent down to tie his shoe, but the woman… — read more

“I want to touch the sun.” Angela parked her car and opened the door. She pulled out a cigarette and a lighter. With trembling hands, she lit up. The heat from the flame warmed her face. The quivering inside her diminished. Her hands calmed. She exhaled across them and finished the cigarette. Avoiding the sidewalk,… — read more

A floating dock stretched into the lake. Holding a red rod and a fish bucket, Andy stepped past the guardrail. Now he was on the water. Andy looked back and asked, “You got this, Tom? The water’s calm.” “Oh, shut up and give me some room. I can’t get through with you standing there, gumming… — read more

Sam looked into a dark room. He hunted for the light switch — found it. Three lamps, situated around the room, shone with a yellow tint. The aroma of whiskey rose from the carpet. Sam looked around. A bed at one end and a desk at the other. A window with curtains pulled shut, blocking… — read more