short story

A Ghost of a Story Part I

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I. Kit Malone, 1924

Kathryn Jane Malone, although the only time she better hear her full name is if she was in trouble, otherwise, you better call her Kit, wiped the sweat off her brow.  Of course her boss Mickey sent her on a fool’s errand for this story.  That’s what she felt like, a fool.  It wasn’t easy for a woman to break into the newspaper business but Kit was a determined sort.  All she needed was a break.  Even a bad one.  That’s why she jumped at the chance to chase down an old miner for the sake of a possible byline.  Imagine, her name in the paper.  Or the gender neutral K.J. Malone to fool the readers into thinking they were reading a story by a male reporter.  But she would know the truth.  If Mickey honored his word, this byline would be hers.  First though, she needed to get the story. Mickey sent her to get a ghost story of all things.  What a ridiculous thing to report.  No wonder Mickey relegated it to a woman.  None of his precious male reporters wanted touch it. She knew full well she was his scape-goat but she was determined to turn this lemon into lemonade. Continue reading →

The Silver Hair Robin Hoods

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IV.                   The Wrap Up

I followed Deputy Marks back down the hall unsure of what the next step was going to be.  The thought of my grandma spending any time in jail sickened me.  I never claimed to know everything about my grandma but this whole revelation was way too much to absorb in one night or early morning. I felt like I didn’t know her at all.  Apparently, my drifter cousin Petey knew her better than me.  I just couldn’t process all this information. Continue reading →

The Silver Hair Robin Hoods

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III.                   The Rise of the Silver Hair Robin Hoods

“I never did ‘misplace’ anything again while your grandpa was alive.  After he died however…” she clicked her teeth, “well, that was a different story.

“After your grandpa died I was so angry with God. Angry that He had taken my daughter and her husband at such a young age and left you without parents.  Then He actually took away my husband.  My little rebellion was the only peace I could get.  It was as if I was saying, ‘you may have taken away my loves but I can take things, too.’ And I did. Continue reading →

The Silver Hair Robin Hoods

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II.                   The History

I walked into the Sheriff’s office and a tall deputy nodded at me.  “Mr. Horndecker, I  presume?”

I nodded.  “Deputy Marks?”

He nodded and straightened some papers by tapping them on the desk a couple of times causing a Lebron James bobble head to bob. “First things first, let me take you back to your grandma.” Continue reading →

The Silver Hair Robin Hoods

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I.                   The  Call

My phone buzzed on the nightstand.

I have it set to DO NOT DISTURB between the hours of 10:00pm and 6:00am every night  to eliminate telemarketer and occasional drunk caller rudeness.  If this call was getting through at 1:00am it indicated a second call within three minutes.  This was a deliberate attempt to reach me. Not a good sign. Continue reading →

Will She?

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IV. Will She Come?

Dakota finished his story and gently rubbed his palms on the table as if flattening it. 

May nodded her head slowly.  “So, you’re waiting for Cheyenne with no last name to come through those doors in,” she looked at the clock, “five minutes?”

He swallowed. “Yes, yes I am. I mean, she will come. She will, I can feel it.”

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Will She?

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II. Dakota and Cheyenne’s Meet Cute

I was working at the Tech Team counter at the department store You Got It. As usual, it was a rather slow afternoon. Most people fancy themselves IT experts. At least, they use YouTube to fix their problems until their problems get away from them. That’s when they come calling.

It was one of those days where the minutes felt like hours and the hours felt like days. I could hardly wait for my shift to end. About five minutes before I clocked out she walked in. Actually, that’s not accurate. She more like tumbled in with her arms full carrying her laptop. I watched as she made her way to my counter and set her computer down. All she said was, “Fix it.”

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Will She?

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I. Waiting

            “Can I help you with anything?” the young clerk asked while wiping her hands on her apron.

“No, thank you,” he replied glancing at her for a moment then turning his gaze toward the door.

“Look, be honest,” the clerk continued while clearing cups off the table next to him, “are you casing this place or something?”

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