Having imbibed a fair amount of pro-small-town prejudice in the form of Hallmark Christmas movies (which I actually find relaxing in spite of this), I thought I’d retaliate with a link to my short story About Those Small Town Values, first posted in 2010.
You’re really in there, I believe. You wanted to die, but I saved you. As I read your brain activity, you’re still aware. You just can’t show us. How do I know that? I’m the neurologist who saved your life. You botched the attempt to kill yourself, and I kept you alive. There was brain…
(This is part 2 of a 2 part story. Read part 1.] “I disagree with that. Rather, I allow my LGBTQ members full participation without making a scene about it. They know, I know, and my church council knows what’s going on. I don’t perform same-sex weddings because it’s contrary to the rules of the…
The first pastor was annoyed and impatient during Miriam’s visit. He had a large and active church, and had thought he was making an appointment to talk to a member about some church problem. When she asked for the appointment, Miriam had said, “It’s about a problem and what the church can do about it.”…
When 16-year-old Winifred determined that she was pregnant, she knew she had to take action immediately. It would not be long until her mother would start asking questions. Her mother, in turn, would doubtless tell either Winifred’s father, or her maternal grandfather, depending on how angry she was. If she was really angry, she’d tell…
“We’re not going to bother with any of that marching crap,” said Jeffords to his troops. They were his because he was the only one in town with experience in combat, little as that was. The villagers were lined up, sort of, in front of him. The idea was that he would prepare them to…
It all started with the resolution passed by the town council. No, perhaps not. That might be giving it too much weight. It really started when Tomas got stinking drunk that evening. But since the council resolution comes into it, we’ll just have to start there. It was passed unanimously, and was short and to…
“And then I let go when I’m at the farthest point out, drop into the river and swim to the far shore. The current will be helping me.” “And if you can’t make it?” “I’ll come up against that rock.” “What rock? I can barely see anything.” “There’s a rock in the water just where…
Ellen brought everyone their food and then sat down herself and joined the group. They were no longer surprised, as this had become a habit with the group, and they all knew Ellen had an arrangement with the owner. “So why don’t you just let one of the other waitresses serve us?” asked Bob. “Because…
*“I don’t understand how you can believe in a loving God in the face of what we’re seeing on the news right now,” said Bob Norman, bringing the small talk to a halt. In that informal way they had, the God-Talk Club was now in session! “It is difficult, isn’t it?” said Jerry to the…
