A Year in Abeyance I decided to take 2026 off. No social media; no media at all: just me and my sailboat meandering around the Pacific. I left San Diego on December 31, 2025. “Call if you need anything,” I told my brother as I left. I’d left my phone at home. 365 days. Warm…
Tag: drabble
Grandpa’s Head
Grandpa’s Head “There’s a head inside that.” Grandma pointed to the box on the highest bookshelf. I mentioned this at dinner, expecting laughter. Everyone just nodded. “Your great-grandfather found it a century ago, completely mummified.” “That slash across its mouth, ugh!” “And the naked lady tattoo.” The adults snickered. The kids looked fascinated. “Can we…
Three Inches Blueward
Three Inches Blueward I’m regretting agreeing to help my fifth-dimensional neighbor move. “Bring it forward.” We’re carrying his couch through the front door. He’s inside and it’s apparently stuck on something. “Good. Now go about three inches blueward.” “Blueward?” “Yes! Hurry, this thing is heavy.” “How?” “I’m trying to use words you know, Steve! You…
The First Sundeath
The First Sundeath It was the first day. Ever. While exploring this new world, the woman noticed the sun was lower. “It’s falling,” she said. “It’s bleeding,” the man said. “See, its blood is spreading along the horizon.” “This must be the end of the world.” “It was a good life.” The sun was gone….
A Sign of the Times
A Sign of the Times I remain frozen as I watch them approaching. The board feels heavy, but I don’t even twitch. “This place looks good. Ooh, they got chili fries.” The family inspects the menu in my hands. “Wow, this sign looks so realistic.” Heck yeah, it’s realistic. Underneath the paint, I’m 100% living…
The Restaurant on Top of the World
The Restaurant on Top of the World On aesthetic grounds, I was sad there was a restaurant on the summit of Mount Fuji. Spoiling nature and all that. Practically, I was overjoyed to sit down in the warmth after climbing seven hours. “How do you get the food up here?” I asked. “My daughter carries…
Persephone’s Marvelous One-Bug Band
Persephone’s Marvelous One-Bug Band Persephone took the stage during the annual Battle of the Bugs. Being a millipede, it took her a while. She heard snickers. The contest usually belonged to the musically-blessed orthopterans: crickets and grasshoppers and such. Katydid Perry had won three years in a row. “What are you playing?” the judges asked….
This Familiar, Alien Air
This Familiar, Alien Air The air here smells familiar now, which means I’m forgetting my home planet. It’s been decades since I crash-landed on this world. The inhabitants were initially wary but respectful. Their language is subtle, but I get by. I live in this ruined castle I found, adding bits of technology I salvaged…
The Murder House (Allegedly)
The Murder House (Allegedly) There goes another one, walking into the quaint Island Meats house. The problem is, people go in but no one comes out. I’ve been watching from the café across the street for the last four hours. Tally: 56 people entering, 0 exiting. Finally, I called 911. “. . . and I…
Best-Friend-Teddy
Best-Friend-Teddy I should probably just go ahead and die. But, somehow, I still feel like living. Most citizens died long ago in the Terrible Event. The survivors fled. Now it’s just me: bad-back-white-haired-half-blind me. Me, and Teddy: that missing-eye-singed-fur-depleted-stuffing bear I found while scavenging. Teddy sits across from me at dinner, and I tell him…
The Green-Walled Treehouse 