“No matter where you live in New York City, you always end up in Queens.” Opening lines always shoulder a lot of weight (and disproportionate thought). This one I pocketed from a pilot announcement as we were descending into LaGuardia, cemetery plots dominating the landscape out my window. Which later inspired the concept of a life insurance salesman facing his own mortality as planes of the multiverse collide: ‘Burgatory.
(temporarily unavailable while Solarcide undergoes redesign)
Yes, I wrote this one before that infernally-titled ABC sitcom aired … a few years ago, in fact. But when the Solarcide invitation came, this slice of “magical realism” (as they call it) seemed like a good fit for their twisted tastes. While you’re over there, check out the other guest authors of course, but the main attraction of the moment is their Nova Parade anthology—full of dark fiction from many familiar names—which you can download for free.
It’s been far too long since I had a story published online (been mostly in print anthologies of late). And it’s PG-13 with nary a bad word. Well … it’s loaded with bad words, linguistically, I just mean there’s no cursing, so you prudish mofos can enjoy this one guilt-free. Put down the mommy porn and hop a short flight with me.
If you dig “‘Burgatory,” please have a look at my other short stories, listed here for your convenience.
