24 PIES
   “I don’t know what’s been going on lately. I feel like one of those Picasso paintings where my nose is sideways, my eyes are on one side of my head and my mouth is bent and crooked where my cheek should be. Maybe it’s the stress of Christmas. The shopping for doodads, writing cards to people I don’t see or speak to anymore. Eating too much chocolate and nuts at work, drinking too much.    click here to read

PERFECT
   Lately Josie’s been putting the screws to me. Sometimes it’s a subtle little I’m-gonna-slide-this-information-into-the-conversation-and-see-if-he-blinks kinda thing. Other times it’s an out and out, “HEY, LISTEN UP BUSTER, I’M TALKIN’ HERE,” kind of deal. It’s about love, that’s what it is. Who the hell ever gets enough of it? I know I don’t. I didn’t in my marriage and from everything she’s told me, I’m sure Josie wanted more than she got.    click here to read

UNDER THE TREE
   I’m standing and looking at the tree with my hands on my hips. It’s lovely. I’ve strung the red, yellow and blue lights and my roommate has meticulously re-arranged and adjusted every single one. We’re not lovers. I think that’s a disappointment for Shari. She’s a few years older than me. The other day she wore a worn t-shirt without a bra. Her heavy breasts swung with a rhythm all their own and her stiff nipples grazed the soft cloth. I kept my eyes on the floor as she stood in front of me laughing and talking.    click here to read