Publication: BULL

  • Other World by Kelli Short Borges

    I thought I knew where this story was going — to a place of comfort, thinking that somewhere there’s a universe where things worked out differently. Borges has other plans, and the end of this story was a doozy. Mr. Smyth teaches eleventh-grade physics, and this week they’re learning about the Many-Worlds Theory. They’re discussing…

  • i m ok r u by Patrick Hueller

    In Canada, the narrator of this story would be called a Hockey Dad, even though the story takes place at his kid’s basketball game. Hueller inhabits the man’s head so clearly, and has a couple of sneaky narrative tricks that bring this stressful, kinetic story together: (And don’t get him started on cell phones, please…

  • The Outcasts by Patricia Pease

    Pease’s story of a couple of unusual kids finding some (un)common ground is sweet and sad. I’ve been thinking about it for days. In 1968, Sadie entered junior high at a new school. Kids immediately called her Sad Sadie, the Fat Lady. There was one kid who didn’t make fun of her; Beau Watson. Bo…

  • The Teacup Stirred by Will Dowd

    A man finds an injured bird on his way to work. This is a short, strange story that apparently started as a dream. I’ve read it four or five times and it’s more puzzling each time. As I fumble with my key, I hear a strange mewling at my feet. A baby bird fallen from…

  • Fourth Step by J. Malcolm Garcia

    Fourth Step is about generational trauma. Garcia’s narrator is a recovering alcoholic who wants to make things right with his equally messy mother. The way Garcia writes dialogue – no line breaks to create momentum, followed by short paragraphs for impact – is extremely effective. I need to see you. Where? she said. You call…

  • 3/1 Walking Distance from Packard’s Corner (Great Investment) by Marco Visciolaccio

    I feel like every story about a creepy apartment I read winds up here. I love how the narrator of the story slowly reveals more about his own psychological state. It’s not worth knowing what’s inside the wall. The thing’s brick and I’m not made of money, especially not after buying a home. The knocking…

  • The Jims by Charlie Rogers

    This is a weird one and I don’t want to spoil anything. It’s about clones:  I hope Jim-Prime is asleep, so he can’t ruin this like he usually does. But no. The door creaks behind me—an irritating noise that Jim-Prime keeps asking me to fix, like he can’t figure out how to operate a can…

  • Good Morning Person by M.A. Boswell

    Bri and Andrew are broken up, but she can still hear his ridiculous catchphrases as she gets up for the early shift at the bakery. Bri’s character is quite relatable, until, well, read the story. Throughout their six-month relationship, Andrew used to crack a joke about making the doughnuts at least once a week, always…

  • A Ridiculous Man: June 1996 by J. Haase Vetter

    Roger’s life is falling apart, and he’s betting everything he’s got on a big turnaround. Stories told in this format often feel gimmicky. Vetter’s story doesn’t get that way for a second – every reveal hits like a hammer. A is for Acorn. The list always started with Acorn; that was one of the rules. For…

  • Back Seat Surprise by M.E. Proctor

    A hitman finds a kid in the back of his getaway car, and it’s the beginning of an unexpected adventure for both. This could be the basis for a full novel, it’s fantastic. The protagonist is the kind of low-rent crook you’d find in a Leonard or Lehane novel. For a job to go right,…