Almaden

SANTA CLARA VALLEY - 1964 John struck a match, lit a cigarette, and looked across the maintained rows of green leaved plum and apricot trees under the midday sun as he tossed the burnt match to the ground. Past the trees in the distance he saw a construction crew on a recently cleared lot. He … Continue reading Almaden

Vanishing Act

“Are you sure you can do this?” Linda asked. “I'm sure it's fine,” Roy assured. He opened up the camera case in his lap as he sat behind the steering wheel and pulled out an old Canon AE1. Its shoulder strap unfolded and hung downward. Linda looked out the passenger side car window and across … Continue reading Vanishing Act

The Dealers

In observance of today's unofficial holiday (4/20), I'm posting a short story from my archives that shares its theme. I first wrote The Dealers back in 2000, gave it a complete rewrite 10 years later, then published it on a previous blog in 2012. Though the subject of today's holiday is a major theme in … Continue reading The Dealers

Guest Host

“Yes, that's great news!” Neil said happily into his cell phone. “Glad that you're back on the outside. I'll see you tonight, bye.” He clicked off his phone and strolled into the workplace break room. Trevor was sitting at a table reading a magazine. “Good news, Trevor!” Neil announced. “Guess who's in town?” “Hope it's … Continue reading Guest Host

Castle

Glen was eager to get home and watch the basketball game. On his way he stopped into a corner market and got a six pack from the cooler. He went up to the front counter. “That'll be ten sixty.” Glen pulled a ten and a one dollar bill from his wallet and handed them to … Continue reading Castle

The Hill

(Short story prologue for the novel Redwood Summer, a story of 1990 San Jose, CA) Jason was enjoying a warm, summer day at the beach with his girlfriend and all their friends, then a pulsing buzz suddenly dissolved the image and pulled him out of sleep. His arm reached … Continue reading The Hill