just enough light

None other than A. J. Barnett himself volunteered to talk with David. After all, it was his great need for the cemetery plots that brought the issue to light, and A. J. was certain of his persuasive ability in a matter such as this. He began his appeal by inviting David to lunch at the […]

“That’s not a problem,” blurted A. J. “Whoever it is will be offered some prime spots in the new annex.  Who is it?” Digger lowered his gaze as if talking to someone at his feet, “It’s David Murphy.” An audible groan came from all corners of the boardroom.  Eyes rolled, heads wagged, and many shifted […]

Raymond “Digger” Cummings had seen this coming for several years. Digger was the grounds keeper and record keeper for Hillside Cemetery, and had been so for more than 20 years. Digger was slim, some might call him scrawny, with a large adam’s apple for a man his size, and receding hairline always covered with a […]

Addison Jonas Barnett was speechless when told there were no more cemetery plots available in Hillside Cemetery. Being speechless was not familiar territory for him. His eyes widened, he got all puffed up, and finally blurted with his normal bluster, “Well, I’ve never heard of such a thing. That just can’t be.” He paused to […]

When Alice’s body finally died, long after her spirit had taken leave, the girls spread out into separate rooms. Alice’s room was redecorated with posters of boy bands, and soon the whole house became a flurry of clothes, curlers, and the intense noise of young teenaged girls.  Henry Junior didn’t much like the noise and […]

He hadn’t counted on the old man dying that fall. Henry was putting a truck tire on a rim when his heart gave out as suddenly as a blowout on a tire. Henry Junior was called out of English class with the news. It took a few anguishing days for Henry’s heart to finally give […]

When childhood enthusiasm gave way to the longer legs and awkwardness of adolescence, Henry Junior stopped jumping up and down and enticing passengers to wave. He stopped running from one end of the yard to the other. He stopped counting. Instead, he put his hands in his pockets and simply watched. He knew the southbound […]

He has always been Henry Junior. Not Henry, not Hank, not Junior. Henry Junior since the first moments of his life. His parents, Henry and Alice, came into parenthood late. By the time their son came along, most of their friends had a station wagon full of kids. Some were even young grandparents. The long […]

(This is part I of “A short story in 5 parts.” I hope you enjoy it. Unless you were seated on the left side of the northbound coach, looking out the window at just the right moment, you’d miss him. He’s just a silhouette against the snow, a bulky figure, here and gone in a […]

Competition for “Best Christian Politician” has begun. In our local elections, Christian humility is busily elbowing its way to the front of the line. The dizzying mixture of Christianity and conservative politics makes “America First” seem indistinguishable from “Seek first the kingdom of God.” On television, in the mail, and in the newspaper, the ads […]