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Reverse-Gentrification of the Literary World

Akashic Books

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Tag: short fiction

“Rhumba” by Alec Binnie

Detective Owen Newlin stashed the stolen LaSalle in the alley behind the Colonnade apartment house and climbed the fire escape, which rose through an open air shaft.

“Dew Wheat” by Denise Hume

“I dew wheat.” I never knew the power of words until my two year old asked to “do it.” Those two little words sent dread flying through my body.

“Each Night” by Christopher Moore

Her Mum thinks it’s a bereavement group. The kids think it’s a ‘special class’ that will make mummy better and smarter. Age-appropriate lies, but both have done the trick, as she’s never had to make excuses again beyond the first couple of times.

“Finally Sleep” by Gissel Reynoso

“Ready to go?” the store manager asks me. I respond almost too excitedly: “Most definitely, I am exhausted.” To say I am exhausted is an understatement. I don’t remember the last time I got a full night’s sleep.

“Toddler Distance” by Carolyn Lochhead

Time is relative, so Einstein told us. I am sure he was right—I’m not really qualified to contradict one of the world’s greatest scientists—but motherhood has taught me that distance is relative, too.

“A Steep Grade” by Reed Kuehn

His legs ached as he cleared each oversized stair, the taste of acid burning the back of his throat.  Slowly he climbed the face of the foothill known locally as The Incline.