As I enter the bedroom, Jeffrey shuts the door behind me, and I flinch. He narrows his eyes in my direction but does not comment. Instead, he busies himself by stuffing the space underneath the door with what looks like a blanket. I slowly make my way towards Ace, who has settled in his bed ...

“What the hell do you want?” Jeffery barks as if oblivious to the howling wind and swirling snow behind me. I take a deep breath, reminding myself to be humble. Then, I force the words I was rehearsing the entire walk over. “A truce,” I say, and shove the fruitcake I baked the night before ...

The old man has always been there. There was never a time in my life when he didn’t show up. True, it was always according to his schedule. Time meant nothing to him. He would show up when he wanted to and leave when he jolly well pleased. No glances at the wall to check ...

Where October makes me think of fall and Halloween, December makes me think of winter and Christmas. Not Christmas the religious holiday, but the spiritof the holiday. Just as there is an aura or feeling that comes with Halloween, there is such a feeling for December too. I was living in State College, Pennsylvania one ...