Murder at the Lake

In the distance comes Cyclops, tearing the day apart. Her disposition is low and pounding as always. A field of birds flies toward me to the safety of the forest. I go there too, quickly, to the trees and stand behind the thickest one I can find. …

It happened Thursday. Word’s been getting around faster it seems. Jenkins came through with the clip board. I marked Present but Unavailable for Reasons Not Disclosed and went on with my work. Don gave a chuckle when Stacey fingered him behind his back and made that fat guy face for…

Toni and me sit on the stoop and look down the street. All night long we’ll wait if we have to. In the early evening we’ll take a break for Steak-umms at her place. They have the microwave. Then we’ll be back, sitting on the stoop looking for him. When…

It’s always at this time of day that I get the blast of sun from across the street, a reflection off of the windows of the Lenox Tower building, so despised for its hulking modernness. …

Sometimes I get tired of waiting for Tammy by the bridge. I want to walk on, quickly and get home so I can dash together a sandwich and get downstairs before she shows, maybe put a sleeve of crackers in my pocket if there are any. If I make it…

“It doesn’t need to look perfect,” she said. We turned left at the light and headed down that street where I used to live when I was… don’t remember. I think I remembered the low brick ranch with the carport on the left. My head craned as we went by…

I’ve been here for nine years. It hasn’t gone by fast. Every day is a walk through a misty dream where I work the job at hand and try to remember her face. I should’ve been more careful but careful is something dad never accused me of. Instead he said…

Duncan laughs at me in silent hysterics. I pull my pants up and make my way back to the car, fighting the headlights. He follows, aping my covered face with hand in an exaggerated way. I’d have them drive off without him but he’s got the cash for our next…