The short fiction of j hardy carroll
“That’s him, there.” Banker gestured at the giant sitting across the barracks. “Christ,” said Crowley. “He’s immense.” “That’s why they made him a scourger, cob,” smiled Banker. “Strong as a bull. I saw him give a hundred to a shirker not two months ago. You could see the poor bastard’s backbone before he reached thirty.”…
She stared down into the lobby, all color drained from her face. “What is it?” She shook her head, sipped the last of her chardonnay from the plastic cup. “Nothing,” she smiled. “Let’s go back. Second act will be starting soon.” I felt her tension all through the second act. She seemed to be looking…
Akunna stared at the laptop. It was a good one, a Dell he’d gotten from the Kenyan. He thumbed his phrasebook, scratched his head. “Come give me your opinion,” he said to Chimaobi. “I know you will be surprised at the tone of my letter to you, as I wish to send you greetings and tell you…
Jolly Mrs. Benbow, arms a-jiggle as she lifts the cup to her lips, tilting the saucer to show the maker’s mark SPODE on its bottom. Her great-grandmother’s cup, she will invariably remind anyone in earshot. To her left is Mrs. Wright, the eldest and most severe. Her only vice is the single slice of lemon she…
The Lodge packed us a wonderful lunch of fried chicken, biscuits, and pie in an old-fashioned wicker basket complete with plates and silverware. We’d driven the station wagon to a secluded spot and hiked to a spreading oak at the base of a rocky bluff. I spread the red-and-white checkered cloth on the ground, leery…
Janus liked quoting Captain Kirk at the start of a climb. Gentlemen, risk is our business. It was funny the first time or two, but like most of the aspects of his personality, it ended up grating on you. After a couple years, I was the only one left who would still belay him. I suppose I felt…
“Marsh Harbor will take you in his runabout, sir.” The skinny boy looked no more than twelve, and made younger by the eagerness of expression. “I don’t want to be a bother,” I said. “I am an excellent driver, sir,” said the boy. “The best on the Cay.” The car was a right-hand drive Austin…
“Oh dear,” she said as she peered into the garden. “There seem to be more of them.” He joined her at the window. “Hell and death. When the devil did he do that?” Her cup ratted against the china saucer. She steadied it with her free hand. “I don’t know. Perhaps he goes and builds…
He was a regular, driving in from Hardyston for a Saturday haircut once a month. I remember him coming into the shop that first day. I got a good look at him while I cut his hair. His expression was strange. Haunted, I’d call it. Something about his eyes. He said it was a shortcut, but one…
“You too, Joey?” “I got nothing against them personally, Jack. I just don’t want to box with them.” “So that’s it, then? You’re quitting?” “No. Maybe go to Lopez’s.” “You boys don’t have a problem with the Spanish, then.” The old man sat back in his chair, the old wood creaking with the weight. Joey…