Hot Stuff

The wooden robot also functioned as a steering wheel. On one side, I had drawn the robot face and buttons. On the other, the robot face had a drawing of a windshield, a field of stars, and the arms had buttons on them to control your speed, as you leaned the arms from side to […]

Combustibles

“I didn’t know Mardi Gras was a religious holiday,” the kid said. “Well, it kind of is.” We were making Valentines. I was setting monkey stickers on a red paper heart and writing, “From Aunt Liz.” I had a spot of glitter on my cheek, and I said, “Eh, I’ll just leave it there. Mardi […]

Decline and Fall

When I was three, I went to Alcatraz. I was just visiting. They had our tour group walk into a cell, and they shut the door. I think they locked it. I think it was the darkest place I’ve ever been. I spent the next five years worrying about going to jail, although even in […]

Cops and Robbers

Sunday afternoon, I heard the garage door open, and went down to find some former tenants carrying stuff out. “Hey, what’s up?” “We’re just getting more of her stuff,” the guy said. “Oh,” I said. I gave him my look of complete dispassion, honed through years of giving students enough rope in case they want […]