Terrible But True

When I first started working in the New York City Public Education system, my father gave me a bit of advice. He said, “Whatever you do, don’t end up on the cover of the New York Post.” Sound advice for anyone, really. Particularly if you are going to be working with minors. And the vast… »

David and I loitered anxiously, hoping someone would pick us for their team. The crowd were about to play “It’s A Knockout” and we wanted in. Straining to catch the captains’ eyes, we waited pitifully as the finger of favour pointed at people all around us. But we just weren’t wanted.

I’m sure… »

The building had the air of student rental, with a notion of cleanliness a touch more maverick than I’d hoped. I might be there for one of the dirtiest deeds of my life, but I wanted no smears of those who had been there before me.

Questions tumbled around my mind. Was I adequately groomed in… »

It was Christmas Eve in New York City, and Penn Station looked like a goddamn refugee camp. Outside, a freezing rain pelted busy streets awash in festive bunting and deadly ice patches. Inside, thousands of cold wet travelers jostled and shoved, swearing harder with each announcement of further train delays. I’d found a place to… »

When the rain comes down in Bangkok the grit and filth of Kho San Road isn’t washed away but pushed around. You wade through it as slur-pee cups and used condoms swirl around your ankles. Rats make for the high ground of dumpsters. The T-shirt sellers, trinket hawkers, prostitutes and tourists are pushed off the… »

The pigeon trembled as I removed it from my backpack. I held it firmly, feeling its heartbeat and panicked respiration pulse between my fingers. It kept its head tucked between the raised rims of its wings and I wondered for a moment how I was going to get to its neck. I carried it into… »

Darren was taken in the night, just after the slaughter. Howie remained, though he had suffered a head wound. Those who committed the crime were almost certainly still in the area, but would be nearly impossible to find, for hiding was among their myriad talents. We had only one option: wait. They would be back.

Katie… »

The North Dakota State University’s Wellness Center gives away free condoms. Since freshman orientation, I had heard this, but never dared to take one. Up until my junior year I did what every sexually repressed, former Catholic-high-schooler would do. I touched myself when my roommate left the room, and when I needed condoms… »

There was a lot of ugly noise in the newspaper this morning, and it kept me awake even though the bus was hot and crowded. There was the usual amount of homicides, assaults, and traffic wrecks – but also threatening statistics on infant mortality and malnutrition. It was only bad and going to get worse…. »

Preface to The Great Mosier Beer Heist: The following story was related to me by Mr. Tom O’Brian, one time mayor of Mosier, Oregon.  Parts of the story may be true.  The names have been changed to protect the innocent, namely Tom and me, for there is always the remote possibility that the Brumb Brothers… »