Bad Things that Come in Small Packages

(re-run) They met online on Okay Cupid. The horizontal happened fast. Things were going well, so after six months, Barry gave up his ugly apartment and bought a condo. She moved in right away. Then he started to notice her temper: 1. If the house wasn’t perfectly clean at all times. 2. If his son’s… Continue reading Bad Things that Come in Small Packages

A Date with Jesus

Gina was from a big Italian family, So was Vito, her same age. The families were good friends, and when they were both fifteen, Gina was in love with Vito. But they never dated, and once Gina left for Berkeley to go to school at Cal, she didn’t see Vito for several years. When Gina… Continue reading A Date with Jesus

A Girl, A Creek, and an Hour to Spare

(re-run) When my worker woman showed up Monday morning after having been gone for a two-week long vacation, I had a long list of to–do’s for her. I answered the door and found her nine year old daughter standing next to her. I said hello and went over the list with Kelly. I left to… Continue reading A Girl, A Creek, and an Hour to Spare

Shop Till You Drop

(re-run) We had already hit two thrift stores and were heading for a third. Then I remembered that Vicky wanted to go to the ones in Carmel. I turned onto Forest Avenue and took the winding highway 68 through the Monterey pines. It would lead to the new roundabout that would send the traffic north… Continue reading Shop Till You Drop

Jerky Jokester

(re-run) Elena lived in the city. She went to the Cingular store to get a phone line. Fidel saw her and helped her get one set up. She filled out the paperwork and then changed her mind. He put the paperwork into the shredder but then asked her for her phone number. “If you want… Continue reading Jerky Jokester

Expectations

It’s funny how you notice other people’s expectations and how they sometimes don’t align with your own. How they expect you to be available seven nights a week to do stuff. How they expect you to be hungry at regular meal times, even though your schedule is uniquely your own. How they expect you to… Continue reading Expectations

Second Time Around

Suzanne needed a date for her Alpha Delta Phi sorority party that was being held off campus at one of the sister’s parents’ house. She invited a guy from her old high school, Mark. When they got there, Mark knew the physician dad, because they’d been on ski patrol together one winter in Tahoe. Mark… Continue reading Second Time Around

Playing the Internet/Cable Company Game

Everyone knows that if your cable bill goes up, you call them, and they will work with you to retain you as a customer. So when my Comcast bill went up $20.00 a month, making it $130 for cable and internet, I was not a happy camper. I am two years into retirement, and the… Continue reading Playing the Internet/Cable Company Game

The Power of Nature

(re-run) Sun, trees, dirt, flowers — my nose is full of the smell of Eucalyptus leaves. I used to hike twice a month with my senior hiking group called DASH. Then my sis moved in with me so that I could be her care giver. My hiking days stopped except for once last summer when… Continue reading The Power of Nature