If Wishes Were Horses

“You know,” I said, “I was looking again at Marvie Saunder’s book.”             “No, Ned,” Pat interrupted. “Remember, you’ve given that up. You’re going to let Cade and Gerald handle whatever is going on about that house. You are fixating on that book of poetry so, stop it!”             Stung, I said, “What a thing […]

Walking Each Other Home

When my mother was a little girl, she walked to visit friends. When it came time for her to go home, her friend would walk her part way. Then, Mom would turn and walk her friend back. I don’t know how long they kept doing this, but, I’m sure, for two little girls, it was […]

A Threat on the Prairie

Sophie pointed to a large, spreading cottonwood standing like a lonely sentinel atop a knoll in the vastness of the prairie. “Oh, let’s forget about it for now and not let that miserable Tom Mott spoil a perfectly nice day. There’s a spring over there by those trees and some flat rocks. It’s a good […]

Lost in the Woods

With no warning, thunder crashed over my head. I must have jumped three feet into the air. Rain followed on the heels of the thunder, pelting me with hard, cold drops. I glanced back for the comforting sight of my SUV. All I could see were trees and more trees. Without meaning to, I had […]

A Feeling of Fear

What little sleep I got the rest of that fractured night came in snatches, punctuated by dreams of being chased by faceless intruders. By 5 a.m. I could no longer stand the nightmares. Dragging myself out of bed, I slipped into my jeans and a red T-shirt and staggered downstairs to plug in the old, […]

With Death in Pursuit

A drop of blood dripped from my nose and I flicked it away. I felt terrible and couldn’t imagine how I looked. If our lifeless bodies were ever found, would anybody recognize me?  “I’m in no condition to die,” I told Mom. “Just look at my hair. If Minda Stilley could see me now.” I […]