The Williams

The longhouse was warm and smoky and the blizzard howled outside. A spitted loin of venison dripped grease into the hissing fire as Massasoit squatted and smoked his new pipe, a gift from the Williams who now sat across from him, draped in a bearskin and shivering uncontrollably. The Williams was one of the few…

Island Fever

I walked out of the Sheraton Waikiki half-drunk, the warm air heavy with the smell of sea and flowers and grilled food. Kalakaua Avenue was jammed with thousands of Japanese tourists, most of them a full head shorter than I. I drifted against the crowd as the sky above us turned a sudden purple, vivid…

The Minister Reports

Xiang kept his eyes on the armored carrier, not wanting to crash into it. It did not have taillights and the oversized tires threw immense amounts of dust into the air. A collision would be more than disastrous. He risked a glance in the rear-view to check on the minister and the general. Both were…

A Wrong Un

The dump entrance was chained shut. Cringle swore and smacked the steering wheel. “I am so sick of this pandemic shit.” “So now what?” “This is what. ” He popped the truck into reverse, spattering dirt and gravel against the city’s CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE sign.  He slammed the shifter to drive and fishtailed up…

Maiden Voyage

Rene gripped the strap of his new sea-bag as he gazed up at the ship. It was bigger than any building he’d seen, a towering wall of riveted steel. Uncle Juní came up behind and put his hand on his shoulder. “You excited?” “Sure.” “Scared?” Rene shook his head. His uncle laughed. “You’re a better…