The Temp

“You’ve gotta be kidding! Unbelievable!” I shouted into the phone. “She’s gonna be out of work for three months! And this is our busiest time of the year!” “That’s what I just heard,” replied Gillian, our HR director, trying to be calm (which I appreciated). “If she heals quickly, it… Read more“The Temp”

The Traffic Jam

My car trip from Indianapolis to Chicago couldn’t have happened on a more beautiful day. It was early June, and the sky was cloudless and gloriously blue. It was very warm, but comfortably so, without any of the brutal humidity that often came with summertime in Indiana. I headed up… Read more“The Traffic Jam”

The Text Message

The drive to a friend’s birthday party didn’t seem like the occasion on which Mark and Lauren’s relationship would completely fall apart. But sometimes it’s hard to see these things coming. Mark and Lauren met on a blind date. Lauren—playing defense, just in case Mark was a disaster—set up a… Read more“The Text Message”

The Supper

The rest of that next day sped past. I went home, threw together some microwave dinner (the way of the bachelor) and sat in front of the television to watch the news and later, some inane movie. None of it registered since all I could think about was the next… Read more“The Supper”

The SS O’Doyle

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Dave Krieg walked up the gangway of his new ship. Dave saluted the colors and then turned to the Officer of the Deck. “Permission to come aboard, Sir” He said. “Permission granted.” The OOD replied. “Welcome aboard HM2, how can I help you? “I’m reporting aboard,… Read more“The SS O’Doyle”