Divided into four parts: (Siblings, Lovers, Parents and Mourners) these stories take us on a journey through the formative stages 

In Rare Cases & Other Unfortunate Circumstances

A recipe for your first visit to your grandmother in that place they’re keeping her that your mom says is going to ‘make granny feel better’ while your dad just shakes his head  

Cricket Cake

For most, the melting began before they left home. Still, some were en route, mid-commute, when, losing their grip, fingernails slipped and whole hands oozed away.

The Heat of Fusion

He settled into the house reluctantly and spent the first few weeks avoiding the den, before deciding to reclaim the room by mopping the floors and sponging the walls, all the while ruminating on how dust was composed of dead skin cells. 

And You Won't Have to Worry About a Bidding War

You notice the knives right away. The low-lying November sun glints off their shimmering steel in the same way it sparkles across the grey-green Hudson—that triumphant tributary winding its way out to Lady Liberty. 

Gotta Run!

We soon discovered the best way to fuel our fix was by becoming the baristas ourselves. So, we claimed our destiny and committed to serving the world its next caffeinated masterpiece.

Because at least we drink fresh roast...

Fiona pats her dog, Gus, who is shuddering and shaking from the thunder. Shaking from the thunder, a sliver frame, which had been a wedding present, wanders to the edge of the side table and crashes to the polished floor.

Thunder Loop

I first spotted her at the beach—stood transfixed as she waved from the shoreline, her body a blazing constellation...

Underglow

There were only two things louder in our house than my father’s laugh. One was the slam of the bedroom door whenever Mom barricaded herself inside and the other was the sound of our rusting station wagon backfiring as it pulled out of the drive.

A House of Noise

“Think of it like a wilderness retreat,” I tell Tina, as we pull rocks from the sunken hollow where we aim to sleep. “We can pretend we're on one of those adventure leadership courses and not on the lam from some overpriced rehab.” 

California

And I consider how all their superstitions hadn't saved them. Turbulence is our only guarantee.

Featured Artist: 4 Micros

She was too honest, my Jane. Must have gotten that from her mother. Those innocent lambs I loved. They were fleeced of life.

Two For None

It’s not such a big thing to hold your breath, and it always surprises you how long you can go without resurfacing, pushing past strands of bull kelp, your iron in hand, as you dive after your daughter into that murky black...

3 Flash: Holding It In, Outside Shot, Fruit of Our Labor

Before Mr. Randolph lights the bundle, there’s just the moon. Another far-away fire. Ma tells me not to sit too close, but I can’t resist the lure of the heat. I crowd forward with the other children, seeking a closer view of the logs and sticks tied

Our Family Fire

Harold stroked Marmalade’s soft fur and moved her from the carpet to the linoleum floor. The cat heaved and wretched and out came a crumpled up piece of vellum. Words covered the papery material – words that formed the first page of a shockingly enga

The Golden Hairball

At home, I went straight to my room, laid on my bed and watched the ceiling spin. The weed had me flying, but something else was making me dizzy. I felt trapped on an endless theme park ride—the kind that keeps turning long after you’re ready to exit

Found Missing

he begged me to sample his ribs (which is another thing folks have wrong), since I wasn’t made from Adam’s ribs, it was just Adam swearing I hadn’t lived until I’d tried his ribs, 

Eve, The Vegetarian

Shirt sleeves straining, tap shoes tapping and a smile so wide it swallows the world. He’s even handsome when hirsute! When he makes the leap from stage to screen, actors everywhere hold their breath. Is it possible to have it all?

Jackman Redux

And because, when I bring it up, my wife, Rachel, turns as white as the page and asks me when did I first notice and I say maybe a few weeks and Rachel says we’re terrible parents, and we agree we need to talk to Ellie...

Why My Daughter, Ellie, Is Not Living Up To Her Reading Potential

Tiny flecks of gold swam inside twenty-one celebratory shot glasses and she drank them down one by one. A country song came on and everyone in the bar started to sing along. Cinnamon tingled and burned inside Meg’s mouth. “Only fourteen more to go,” 

Shots

I appreciate you seeing me on such short notice. You came highly recommended. It’s just … well, you won’t believe what’s happened. I almost didn’t believe it myself until she popped out. I call her Calvia—because she came from my calf muscle.

Coleman Bigelow

Books

Selected work