Sheet of Flame

I swerve out of the way, just barely missing him, and later I would think that he must’ve walked in front of me. A stream of cars pass by, swerving away from me this time, as I’ve managed to stop halfway between lanes. He comes up on the right of my car, all smiles, and apologizes as best he can in the storm. It’s a slight grin and ...

“I’m not so sure about this, man.” “Your first bust?” “Yeah.” “Listen, Mack, it’s really not that hard. You walk up to the guy, act casual, and just ask.” “Yeah, but what if he knows?” “What if he knows what?” “What if he catches on?” “You think we would have gotten this far if they’d even had an inkling?” “I guess not… Still. Meeting out here is kind of creepy.” “Them’s the breaks, kiddo. Just the kind ...

Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006 I’m so tired lately. Not really sure why. I guess it could be all the pounding from Aberman’s upstairs. I think he’s a sculptor or something. Watched Fight Club again today. I remember how I used to love the book. I wonder if I still have it. Edward Norton is quite possibly my favorite actor. Brad Pitt adds to it, I guess, but Edward Norton ...

The funeral was a quiet affair. Jeremy showed up early, but left as soon as he could. The arrangements were handled by Greg’s insurance company, as his parents couldn’t be located. There were seven people there when they buried him. Of the seven, three were part of the funeral parlor’s staff. The undertaker, the man he had hired to dig graves and the priest. One of them was from ...

“Just clockin’ in, Doc,” he says a little hesitantly. “Think I might be able to get a little something extra this time?” Gregory Faunt is an addict. Everyone at the clinic is an addict, or a doctor. The distinction is a fine line, or at least Dr. Romans thinks so. Dr. Romans is the newest addition to the clinical staff but he thinks he has it all figured out. “You know ...

Judge me all you like, but it feels good. At least I’m not stupid. I don’t share my needles with anyone else, even when I really need it. Also, I haven’t actually done any heroin in at least six months. Give or take a couple weeks. I’m on the methadone train. Government regulated drugs. Addicted to smack? Your good buddy Uncle Sam is there to provide you with ...

Jeremy Banks has consistently been late during his life. His mother was pregnant for ten months instead of the usual nine, and she even saw a doctor because she was worried that something was wrong. Apparently, he was developing at a slightly slower pace than normal. It was as if his inner clock was set about four minutes behind what the actual time was. During elementary school, he missed ...