The Outlaw Steve Corbett ink splotch

Shiver Me Timbers: A Short Story

March 29, 2022

Punching in his favorite song on the jukebox whenever he spotted the tune among the musical selections at the Pirate Lounge, Denis always sang along, sometimes as loud as he could. Drawing laughs depending on the crowd, usually tourists digging everything about their Florida beach experience, the song helped set a vacation mood. One time […]

You Can’t Be Too Careful: A Short Story

March 24, 2022

“I’m getting bad as the president,” Justin said. Lisa looked up from the sink where she struggled to scrub barbecue shredded pork grease from the supper dishes. “Germs,” Justin said. “I’m worried about germs like Trump.” “Yeah, Trump’s a germ all right,” Lisa said. “No I mean the president’s a germaphobe. So’s Biden from what […]

Glory to the Heroes: A Short Story

March 15, 2022

“Here’s more bottles, mama,” Kateryna said. Svitlana reached for three empties her daughter held out. Marveling at his family over a flickering blue flame that lit his last cigarette, Andriy crumpled and stuffed the pack in his down jacket pocket. Exhaling white smoke through his nose he spoke to Kateryna in a voice as low […]

The Naked Irish Truth

March 12, 2022

Today is what many Irish-American Scranton residents and their cabbage-headed supporters call “Parade Day,” as if dawn in the Electric City broke as a high holy day they celebrate by pulling the nails from their hands, ascending into heaven and sitting at the right hand of God. One problem: snow postponed today’s St. Patrick’s Day […]

In America This Morning

March 5, 2022

Carnage feeds fear today in Ukraine. Terrified civilians lack sustenance throughout their nation as desperation and deprivation replace food, water, heat and electricity. In America this morning, my indoor plumbing worked. My commode flushed. One-ply toilet paper felt soft to the touch. Perfumed soap lathered my hands beneath hot running water from the bathroom sink. […]

The Outlaw Steve Corbett ink splotch