An Overhearing (400)

Café Bon-Bon’s Wednesday special was oxtail soup.  Rudy’d heard it was exceptional.  He closed up Wednesday evening and walked to the restaurant. … More

Career Move (375)

This morning, Chris Andaya had a job to do, and he’d planned to get it done around 7:30 a.m. in … More

Something Solid (350)

Chan went to the desk and picked up.  “Hello.” Silence. “Hello?” “Who’s this?” came from the other end. “I’m Denise’s brother.” … More

Hate Can Motivate (325)

Victor Yamamoto drove the five blocks to headquarters.  He passed the open market where he’d grown up helping his father and … More

Dark Matters (300)

Chris Andaya scared people.  At 6’6” he was a gigantic mass of muscle.  He was very dark, always wore black.  That skin and … More

Love Lives (275)

David Chan drove as quickly as possible toward Kapahulu.  He was counting the days until construction began on the Interstate Highway … More

A Sharp Blade (250)

Miles Kuroda had been a high-school bully who’d evolved into a small-time hood.  He made sure to do nothing that would … More

Who Knows What? (225)

Yamamoto almost jumped out of the chair.  “What?  Me?  I never take the book.” Chan watched him. “No, I’m wondering why someone, anyone, … More

A Close Relationship (200)

Before Yamamoto called him that morning, David Chan had been on the phone with his mother. “She’s a big girl, … More

Keep Your Friends Close (175)

They sat down in the two barber chairs. Chan said, “Did Rudy work here alone?” “Yeah,” Yamamoto said. “So why … More

A Close Call (150)

Who could recommend a barber?  Walking out, he saw Rudy’s backup razor on the counter.  Maybe he could learn to use it.  He … More

Too Close for Comfort (125)

When Detective David Chan arrived, the forensics team was wrapping up.  Rudy Alipio had been an informant for Chan’s partner.  Just by … More

A Close Shave (100 words)

      Since he’d been introduced to Rudy, he’d go every Saturday for a professional shave.  During the week, he settled for his … More

House of Dreams (HS 155)

This morning we’re on a tour. I love the tidal pools,alive with multitudes of tiny fish and crabs, and, of … More

Crazy (HS 154)

Like a pendulum, I swing between insaneand not sitting down to write.Occasionally, when I’m sitting down crazy,I can still vividly … More

Race Time (HS 153)

I fight Nazis and Japs, big plastic figures I buy with my allowance,colored gray and fleshy yellow, the Nips eyes … More

The Real (HS 152)

You will know what real is when you ridethe dreams of smoke and updraft air, waves breakingon the breath of … More

A Clearing (HS 151)

If only we could shed grief as our skin does rain.This is not like water.  You must go. Go farther down,down … More

Coloma, Wisconsin 1978 (HS 150)

There is not much left to do today.  This morning we were replacing fence posts.Bob and I have pulled stumps all … More

The Lending Kind (HS 149)

I’m swirling in the drouse of that head on the pillow before sleep,a thousand ideas swizzling around my brain that … More