That Ellen asked Fern to see if Brad West was available to stop by instead of emailing him or calling his cell phone, was a message that spent five hours repeating coffee o

A private room, with a couch and vertical blinds over a slider door that went out to a patio. Stenciled vines painted just under the ceiling. I've been in worse hotels. A lot worse hotels.

They were watching the Lawrence Welk Show. You could see it on their glasses, reflected images flickering, as though projected by their eyes. They didn't move, or sway, or ask each other to dance.

Keep forgetting that I am someone without means, someone who will never overcome his nature, someone not to be.

Our High School Science Teacher spent a total of 30 minutes discussing sex with the boys.

Joy is a penny you spend on candy. She died without laughing. He always thought she would laugh. He made sure, then called for the man who you call for.

The heat cured this dusty road until oil and asphalt, like lava to basalt, made Highway 99. It connects the farms to towns and to cities.