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Closed Doors on the Cul de Sac

Closed Doors on the Cul de Sac

by | Sep 5, 2017 | J, Jack Bates, Short Story

Sunday evening. No kids on the street. Few lawn mowers buzzing in neighboring yards; got to start the week manicured. Grills cool. Moms sneak out onto the deck for a glass of wine and a cigarette. Dads go downstairs into their caves and put on the game, open a beer,...
Jake’s On A Plane

Jake’s On A Plane

by | May 21, 2016 | J, Jack Bates, Short Story

Jake’s on a plane and he’s heading into Palatka. He’s excited. Not about Palatka. Palatka is a humid and dusty spot not far from Florida’s armpit. Call it a mole on Florida’s chest. Call it whatever you wish. Jake’s on a plane and...

Entry 6 – A Winter’s Night Full Of Pigs

by | Nov 30, 2015 | J, Jack Bates, Short Story

Argyle’s not much of a town. Almost in the middle of the peninsula’s knuckle. Lake Huron to the east. Saginaw Bay to the west. Catches all the lake effect snow. Once winter settles in, Argyle all but disappears. +++++It’s the kind of place you want to avoid. +++++The...
The Last Scarecrow

The Last Scarecrow

by | Oct 30, 2015 | J, Jack Bates, Short Story

“Jonah?” +++++“Yes, Grandma?” +++++“You know what sound a scarecrow makes when it walks?” +++++“Scarecrows don’t walk, Grandma.” +++++“They don’t?” +++++“You know they don’t.” +++++“I know they do. Come to the edge of the porch where the porchlight’s glow ends. Where...
Flexing Her Bitch Muscle

Flexing Her Bitch Muscle

by | Sep 30, 2015 | J, Jack Bates, Short Story

The semester has barely started and Darlene is already flexing her bitch muscle. She’s back in her little brick room inside a larger brick building standing in front of people even her colleagues say are ‘as dumb as a brick.’ +++++Darlene doesn’t see it that way....