Stories

Wildflower Man: “The best miracles happen when you stop trying to force things into line.” Sam Tucker has a field of wildflowers in front of his house instead of a lawn. The city ordinance requires grass, and well-cut grass. A city committee calls Sam in to have him explain himself. Can a field of beautiful flowers withstand the unrelenting forces of bureaucracy?

Once Upon A Midnight: It’s a quiet night on a small island off the Atlantic coast, at least until some thing emerges from the sea.

The Battle of Seaside Heights: A Nazi U-boat lurks off the New Jersey shore on an urgent reconnaissance mission. Little does the captain know about American resolve when confronted with a hostile invader.

de Neuvillette’s Confession: The greatest singer-songwriter of our generation is gone. I still don’t believe what he told me on his death bed.

Wait By The Shore: Where were they going, all of those drivers? Heading to work or play, with appointments to meet and jobs to do, pushing papers, lifting boxes, moving things from here to there. Why?

Saturday Stories

Live Forever!: Two friends who lived and loved together 100 years ago meet again for the first time. A sequel of sorts to Ray Bradbury’s story about Mr. Electrico.

Some Days You Eat The Pelican: That day when the fish decided they didn’t want to be lunch anymore.

Remember This: An old man and a long-ago lover recall an oasis in an angry desert, a water so rare and pure and plentiful that he knew he would never be thirsty again.

The Old Man and The Press: Mom and Dad said if we’re going to still have civilization, we need to spread the words somehow.

The Place Holder: The custodian pulled out his keys with a jangle, fiddled for the one, and opened the door. A man was sitting on the battered leather couch, staring into a smartphone screen. “Who are you, then?” the custodian said. “You’re not Mr. Comfort.”

Comfort & Joy, Detective Agency: Adam Comfort woke with a start. He’d had a very strange dream full of intrigue and mystery … and a 6½-foot-tall skunk.