M. Steven Neal

He sat up, remaining there for a while. Looking out the windshield. Already the grackle had been chased off with a scare cannon and already they were stubbornly readying their return. A mass of black wings circling out and wheeling above the horizon, then stalling, setting like a menagerie in mid-air before swooping low and … Read more

The paperclip, son. Yes, sell it to me. Well. It’s shiny, sir.   I’ll put the order in right now, Ms. Robinson, he said. And then hung up. He picked up the telephone for it was Dr. Wein calling. When he told him that there was mild calcified plaque at the carotid bifurcation he steadied … Read more

He picked up the telephone for it was Dr. Wein calling. When he told him that there was mild calcified plaque at the carotid bifurcation he steadied himself in his office chair and breathed shallow throughout the rest of the attendant analysis. So this makes it easy, the doctor said. You need treatment. What kind … Read more

He picked up the telephone for it was Dr. Wein calling. When he told him that there was mild calcified plaque at the carotid bifurcation he steadied himself in his office chair and breathed shallow throughout the rest of the attendant analysis. So this makes it easy, the doctor said. You need treatment. What kind … Read more

For Stephen King short story contest: As Dick swallowed the last bite of his avocado sandwich, Jane whacked him in the teeth with the mini hammer he had bought earlier today. This morning, at breakfast, Dick finally saw the racoon, the squealer that kept him awake so many nights. He quickly ran to the hardware … Read more

So. The few weeks since Floyd passed and while now standing in front of Cosme she thought again Do I know him? And he at the bar inside thought Is she family? She walked in. He greeted her and she sat down on the stool beside him. They exchanged pleasantries and for a brief moment … Read more

Already a few weeks had passed since their first date and the flash of love that had awoken them now glimmered delicately as if without breath would wane a smokeless spell. Do I know him? Is she family? She came out from the taxi onto the street and stood in front of Cosme. He waited … Read more