The Husband’s Head

Harpur Palate issue 25.1

She hadn’t owned her husband when he was alive and had only a piece of him now that he was dead. Although he could not physically resist, coercing him into the journey would be wrong. There were also legal concerns. Would she be arrested for what she was contemplating doing? While she grappled with the issues, her husband’s head rested beside her in its bowling bag. They’d planned this trip when he had been whole, bought a Lifetime Seniors Pass, and dreamed of the beautiful nature in the National Parks. It wasn’t perfect like this, but it was better than nothing The Husband’s Head

Betty Boop Changes a Tire

Glint, issue 16

It’s a costume party for the over-thirty crowd. In the western suburbs that could be a thing. I live in the city. I hate costume parties and I hate the suburbs, but I’m traveling there in a borrowed car dressed as Betty Boop because Betty Boop is a woman who knew what she wanted and used the expectations of the day to get it. I’m hoping to channel her confidence. Boop-Oop-a-Doop.

The unlit road is lined with trees, edged with scruffy grasses, and alive with portent. I drive for a while when there’s an ominous thump. The car shudders. The steering wheel jolts. It’s a blowout.

I pull over onto the scruffy grasses. Betty Boop takes charge.

Liars

Glint, issue 16

The overhead sun menaced those that had pale skin and had forgotten to apply sunblock. The girl’s mother had applied sunblock liberally all over the girl’s arms, neck, face, and ears. “Suzy is so prone to sunburn,” said her mother to the man sitting next to them on the picnic blanket who was not her father.

The girl was named after her mother, but not quite. Her mother’s name was Susan. She was Suzy, Suzy-Q, Suzy-with-sugar-sprinkles-on-top. “We can’t both be Susan,” her mother explained when Suzy wanted to be called Susan.