In twenty-one days, I turn forty years old. Getting another year older has never bothered me as much as it does some people. This year is different. Not because it marks another decade of life. Not because turning forty has any deeper meaning to me than thirty-nine or any other age. This year is different …
Author Archives: josh
Keeping Warm – Part 16
Beelo awoke when he felt someone pull on his ear. He had not intended to sleep but he was still quite exhausted and sleep had taken over anyways. Beelo lifted his head from the back of the couch. His neck was sore and he rubbed it a bit. Keelo stood on the couch next to …
Keeping Warm – Part 15
Beelo gasped. A moment ago, he wasn’t sure if he had the courage to touch the terrible creature that laid on the table in front of him. Dead or alive, the slink was terrifying to see up close. But in that instant, the slink went from being a literal nightmare to an animal. It was …
Keeping Warm – Part 14
Ona looked Beelo up and down again. He sniffed, then he turned and walked towards the enormous doma tree. Naru smiled at Beelo and jerked her head towards the tree. Beelo started to follow the strange old man. Naru stayed behind and surveyed the forest for a moment. She looked up toward the sky and …
Keeping Warm – Part 13
Beelo slowly opened his eyes. He sat up and noticed his blanket was on the floor and his pillow was drenched with sweat. It had not been a restful night. Short periods of fitful sleep were interrupted with nightmares. When he wasn’t asleep, Beelo had lain awake, afraid to fall asleep and be vulnerable to …
Keeping Warm – Part 12
Beelo sat at the dinner table and looked at his plate. The steamed vegetables and spicy rice were gone. He had eaten them in a flash. However, he could not bring himself to cut into the loin chop. He stared at it. It was a slice of perfectly roasted meat and a creamy gravy made …
Keeping Warm – Part 11
Beelo stared with wide eyes at the landscape in front of him. Beerok placed a hand on Beelo’s shoulder to steady the boy. Beelo was grateful. It saved him from clutching his father’s hand like a frightened child. They stood at the edge of a precipice. It looked as if an enormous gardener had stuck …
Keeping Warm – Part 10
Beelo woke the next day and as he got dressed, he noticed that Baro was watching him. “Good morning,” Beelo said. “Hi,” answered Baro. “I have one more question.” “How could you possibly have more questions?” “Did you see one?” “One what?” Baro rolled his eyes, certain that Beelo was playing stupid. “You know,” Baro …
Keeping Warm – Part 9
Many years ago, Beelo reached the age where he could join his parents for excursions away from the doma and away from the Téchni village. On that summer morning, he would join his mother or his father for the day’s work instead of going to the village with the children. Beelo had looked forward to …
Keeping Warm – Part 8
Beelo scrambled to the entryway. His legs felt heavy and he stumbled as he rounded the couch and nearly bumped into a side table. He took the step from from the living space to the entryway with some effort and grunted with the exertion as he raised his left hand above his head to disengage …