An Important Distinction by Sten Spinella (2016) LRR, June 24, 2016June 16, 2017 This piece won third place in the Jennie Hackman Memorial Award for Short Fiction. When mom named me “Elan” she said it was to set me apart from the other boys. I’m certainly apart from the other boys, in that the other boys went to college, or the other boys… Continue Reading
Tiny by Emma Capron (2016) LRR, June 24, 2016June 16, 2017 She hears Jamie rustle in the bed beside her. He is deep within the throes of peaceful slumber, his breathing deep and regular. Tonight is the first night in months in which the gentle rise and fall of his chest has not lulled her into darkness, into the escape of… Continue Reading
Four Rules for Professional Thievery by Tyler Valzania (2016) LRR, June 24, 2016June 16, 2017 “Okay this first rule is the most important of all so listen up,” he said as he transferred a grease-stained wrench from his hands to mine. “The world is not fair, that’s a fact of life alright? So don’t get all high and mighty and act like it should be…. Continue Reading
They Didn’t Mean To by Carleton Whaley (2016) LRR, June 24, 2016June 16, 2017 The Old Man had a perpetual hunch to his shoulders, which was only accentuated as he chuckled at the cat sitting across from him. His shoulders rose and fell quickly, and at their height they nearly touched his bat-like ears, the same ears that the cat would swat at late… Continue Reading
Invisible by Máiréad Loschi (2016) LRR, June 24, 2016June 16, 2017 I don’t know all the technical jargon and stuff, but I can tell you what happened to me. I guess if you need to know all those medical details it’s in the chart. I mean you guys can read those charts, right? Maybe those regular doctors don’t put down the… Continue Reading
“Turner’s Comedy” by Martin Bremer (2015) LRR, February 7, 2016March 16, 2016 The pistol lies across the desk from me—out of reach, but pointing straight at my chest. Halogen lamps flood the interrogation room—I can almost feel my innards incinerate as the brightness forces its way through my retina—every crevice, every wrinkle of me, laid bare, out in the open—illuminated. I’m trying… Continue Reading
“Morning on Cathedral Parkway” by Lillie Gardner (2015) LRR, February 7, 2016March 16, 2016 Waking up after being awake all night from sweating under your blankets and out of your blankets and leaning against the wall to cry and cough, with your loose shirt slipping off my shoulders, with too much of the moonlight bouncing off the cold cars in the parking lot below… Continue Reading
“Glorious” by Amy Martin (2015) LRR, February 7, 2016March 16, 2016 Glimpses of his dreams pass by his eyes in the calm solitude of the waiting window. It’s one thing in Sean’s life that he wants slow and still and calm. One of few. He always seems in a rush. In a way, he is; in a way no one but… Continue Reading
“Cold Water” by Catherine Hires (2015) LRR, February 7, 2016March 16, 2016 Nia was still sleeping when I woke up. She was snoring loudly as I crawled my way down the rickety ladder that supported my lofted bed. I walked past her bed, her open mouth smushed ungracefully against her pillow, and made my way into the kitchen. I turned on the… Continue Reading
“Wrong Crowd” by Ethan Sheehan (2009) LRR, February 7, 2016 Bradley had never wanted to get mixed in with that crowd. But it seemed beyond his control. His best friend, Alex, had started hanging out with them, so Bradley went along with it. It wasn’t that bad at first. Drinking or smoking; it didn’t hurt anybody. But then the crimes… Continue Reading