Fiction

Lost in Conversation (A Mamie and Solly Story)

(Scene: Having lunch out for Mamie’s birthday, Mamie and Solly are enjoying soup, salad, and conversation.) Mamie (spearing a tomato chunk): You look particularly handsome, Solly. Solly (raising his glass in a toast): To you, Mamie. Birthdays are worth dressing up for. M (sipping delicately): This salad is great. All the usual suspects plus avocado,... Read More

Fiction

May 6, 2025

Sammy the Whammy (A Mamie and Solly Story)

(Scene: Mamie is driving the three of them home from an appointment. Solly seems abstracted.) Solly: Are you out of blinker fluid, Mamie? Mamie: What blinker fluid? A turn signal doesn’t need fluid. S: Then why isn’t it working? M: The turn signal? S: You’re in the left lane. No blinker. M (flips blinker down):... Read More

Fiction

April 10, 2025

Nella, Della, and Bella Could Be Stel-la’ (A Mamie and Solly Story)

(Scene: Mamie and Solly are out to breakfast. They’re now chatting, drinking coffee, perusing the newspaper, and an idea crystalizes in Mamie’s brain.) Mamie: …I’ve been thinking… Solly (neck swiveling away from his newspaper): …Am I ready? M (putting her section down): For good conversation? S: Lay it on me. M: I had a brain... Read More

Fiction

March 13, 2025

Black Hole or Sinkhole? (A Mamie and Solly Story)

Scene: Mamie and Solly stare at their moth-eaten-looking front lawn from their sidewalk and debate about what might be happening there in another reality. Solly (pointing): I think it’s a sinkhole, Mamie. Forming on our front lawn. Covered it with a tarp. City engineer coming to take a look. Plumber might be able to fix... Read More

Fiction

February 19, 2025

Unpacking It (A Mamie and Solly Story)

Scene: Mamie, standing in blustering wind in a Midwestern, middle-class cul-de-sac with baggage strewn around their van, is watching Solly, up on a stool outside on the passenger side, fiddling with the car-top carrier’s attachment to the roof rack. Mamie (hands at waist, elbows out): Solly, what’s happening here? Have you lost your mind? Solly... Read More

Fiction

January 10, 2025

Sanctuary (A Mamie and Solly Story)

(Scene: Mamie and Solly are talking while walking in the mall for exercise.) Mamie (dreamily): We’re so lucky, Solly. Solly (side glance): Why? M: People see us. And we see them. S: Not surprising. They have eyes. So do we. M: Of course we do. S (frowning): Why do I think you’re going to tell... Read More

Fiction

December 17, 2024

Make It a Great Year (A Mamie and Solly Story)

(Scene: Mamie and Solly eating out while recapping the year.) Mamie (cutting her salad): Been a heck of a year, Solly. Solly (pouring his dressing): Mamie, I’m glad to be retired. M: You taught in the Spring. S: Started out teaching in person which was great. M: Then, a friend in the Midwest passed away.... Read More

Fiction

November 9, 2024

Geriatric ADD (A Mamie and Solly Story)

(Scene: Decades-married Mamie and Solly are in The Dive, an underwater hotel. Mamie is having early morning coffee and reading in the glassed-in lobby. Fish swim around outside. Solly joins her.) Solly: Good morning, Mamie. Is there tea? Mamie (sitting): Of course. I just had the weirdest experience. (pointing) Oh, look! There goes an eel!... Read More

Fiction

October 8, 2024

Salty Tale (A Mamie and Solly Story)

(Scene: Mamie and Solly, decades-long spouses in time, sit at breakfast in their sunny yellow kitchen.) Solly (unfolding his napkin): Pass the salt, please. Mamie (happily): Which one? S (eyebrows flattening): What do you mean, which one? M (whipping out a tray): New salts for you! S (frowning): Why are there so many salt shakers? ... Read More

Fiction

September 10, 2024

Quantum Exchange

(Scene: Mamie and Solly, married for decades, are weeding a garden. Weeds are flourishing amidst sparsely populated iris.) Solly (staring down in dismay): Garden is really overgrown. Weeds and flowers are intertwining. It’s a knee-high jungle. Mamie (on all fours, weeding): How could all this have grown up so quickly? S (pulling on a weed): ... Read More

Fiction

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