Issue #20 (2011) PDF - myweb - Long Island University

Micah Savaglio
A VACATION WITHOUT STRAWS
A FIRE
Ted C. was young. She was old. He had had to find a way to get rid of her. The flames reflected as
tiny suns across his brow. He poked at the hardened dung with his fishing rod. He loved the
wilderness, its majesty. He once spotted a coyote with a fish in its jaws, up to its neck in the brook.
A FINAL ORDER
The bodies were propped up to look like they were playing cards. He needed the appearance of
company.
THE CAMPER
Three months prior, he had noticed a leak. The gas line connected to the adjacent Winnebago.
MALFUNCTION
Ted C. was a good and faithful writer. He documented ―the good parts‖ every day on his laptop:
toothpick in his mouth, a pitcher of lemon water at hand. His X button, ever since he loaned the
computer to his son, would stick.
A FLICK OF A BLUNT
Ted had a penchant for extravagance when showing lovers around the Big Apple. Helen R.
supposed Ted to be richer than he was and married him, during his glory days, in a small Roman
Catholic ceremony in Brooklyn. Picture him now, outside of the chapel.
THE RELATIONSHIP
Hot over heavy. A side of boredom and nonsense.
THE WEDDING
Charlie told him about the five acres up north. Ted was welcome to go alone or with his wife. The
padlocked gate was a red herring for a gravel pathway half a mile up. Ted did not hunt, nor had he
ever fired a gun.
EX
Smoke orbited the circumference of Ted‘s head. He opened his laptop and set to writing. He paused
to watch a series of X‘s skate across the screen.
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