“Unexpected Delights” by Thor Garcia

Darryl was already gone when I opened my eyes in the bright bitterness of morning . . .

“No Smoking” by Sara Dobie Bauer

She wondered what his skin felt like. There was little of it to see, wrapped in all black like a Bedouin woman in the desert . . .

Adam Mansbach – Tucson Festival of Books, University of Arizona Campus, Tucson, AZ

Date: March, 14 2015

“Good to Great.” Featuring readings from Adam Mansbach, T. Jefferson Parker, and Thomas Perry.

“M” by Iva Ticic

She ran up to me kind of sideways, half willing herself to approach me and half strangely drawn to me. Even from across the room, she yelled out for all to hear:

“Why did you come?!” . . .

“Pierced” by Mina MacLeod

It cut through me like a knife. Not a sharp one—quick and hot and over immediately, no. That would have been too simple. Jacob’s first meltdown was more like a dull, rusted blade that sawed its way back and forth over my heart . . .

“Lady Luck” by Narween Otto

“Mum! What did you do with my curling iron?”

Trinh’s voice tumbles down the staircase. There is an uncomfortable silence at the table as Leah avoids the glances of her friends . . .

“Yoga Bitch” by Kathleen McElligott

I’ve maxed out my credit cards. I got fired. I only leave the house for organic food—and yoga . . .

Excerpt from The Late Work of Margaret Kroftis

PA R T 2 T H E I M P O S S I B L E P E R F E C T I O N Beth: The sun passed over the house as I sipped my coffee on the back porch. We wrestled in the bedroom and I pretended that the carpet was […]