Ezekiel resented privacy, the entire idea of it. He thought about this in public restrooms, how social convention dictates that some behaviors be done in secret. At ten years old he’d had the thought: what if no one else takes off their clothes in the shower? What if that’s just my crazy family? People might… Continue reading Robustness (part 3)
Month: March 2015
Telekinesis (breasts)
When Lana gave her talks to two or three people instead of a dozen or more, she stammered. Large groups were a blur, and she could monologue about art and artifacts without interrupting herself. In smaller groups, she saw their faces. The man was leering, the woman was staring, and their eyes made her shoulders… Continue reading Telekinesis (breasts)
Sketchbook (tattoo)
Jolie wore long sleeves. Everyone would laugh if they knew she’d been working on a dragon. So far, it was just an outline. She was polishing windows when a woman in the waiting area asked her what was underneath her shirt. “Nothing,” she said. She tried to affect a blasé attitude. The woman smiled. “Let… Continue reading Sketchbook (tattoo)
Ghost
As his fiancee returned from his funeral, Arturo held her hand. She had no idea he was there, but he could feel her. Maybe she looked around for him. Maybe she sensed him. He couldn’t tell what she was feeling. Some things don’t change. As she turned on daytime television, he watched her. He’d never… Continue reading Ghost
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The children are outside, playing a game of rock, paper, scissors. They say the words with great concentration as they beat their fists into their palms. The little boy wins more often than the little girl does, but is more frustrated when he loses. The girl is frightened of his emotion, and because she only… Continue reading Advertisement
Winner
Though he was early, he leered at his watch. He was only a little early, just enough to make sure he was there first. He liked to be first. Around the cafe, he saw people, though he couldn’t focus on their faces. None of them were her, and that was all he cared about right… Continue reading Winner
Robustness
As the train pulled into the station, Ezekiel thought about calling ahead, but it was best if she didn’t expect him. His plan depended on a certain amount of secrecy, if he had a plan. He noted: he was the sort who made plans. Before he talked to Leslie, he wanted to know what his… Continue reading Robustness
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