fiction

Are You Willing?

/ roughwighting / 55 Comments

Kauai, moonlit night, magical realismWhen Nora was young she allowed others to know of her difference. But many years ago she learned to keep her night-time charms to herself. Now, at 36 years, no doctors or therapists, no detectives or boyfriends could tell her what was “wrong” with her.

Absolutely nothing was wrong with her, and she kept it that way by keeping her secret to herself. Yes, she needed to be a solitary woman, but as a college professor, an opera lover, a hiker and a traveler, she could get out and about without colleagues figuring out what she was up to after midnight. Continue reading →

The Sight

/ roughwighting / 137 Comments

spirit, muse, life, deathTHEN

The longer Gertie watches her mother, the more confused she is. Gertie is 6 and never knew that her mom has tears.

“Why are you crying? Gertie asks.

“Your grandmother died today,” her mom answers.

Gertie closes her eyes. Nanny is right there beside them. When she opens her eyes again, a soft yellow light grows and surrounds her mom. Continue reading →

The Steamy Trunk

/ roughwighting / 123 Comments

open trunk, secrets, mystery, romanceEven Janine is surprised when the trunk’s contents move with a big thump, but then she supposes that too many of them were placed rather haphazardly.  After all,  she practically threw them in, racing to her first destination. (see What’s in the Trunk).

The smoke has dissipated. The policeman looks as baffled as a man working on a 1,000 piece puzzle. A puzzle in the shape of books – dozens of books – piled together as if they’ve been kidnapped, or as if they have some nefarious reason for hiding in the trunk of Janine’s car. Continue reading →

What’s in the Trunk?

/ roughwighting / 144 Comments

science fiction story, bloggingWhen the cop stops her, Janine does her best to appear calm. Unworried.

She presses the button slowly so her driver’s side window slides open as if Janine has all the time in the world.

The policeman is big, burly, and surly.

“Crap,” Janine mutters.

“Driver’s license.”

Janine wills her hands to not shake as she pulls her wallet out of her purse and finds the fake ID. Continue reading →