Chicago, Illinois

Something broke somewhere. A record player got stuck skipping into the same old groove. 

Thirty-year-old contrarian James Smith of German, English and Czech descent—who also mentions that his “great-grandmother was probably full-blooded Cherokee”—found an opportune moment to play devil’s advocate at a party for post-doctoral students.

It was...

I saw her once at the cafe. I see him every week at the restaurant.  I see her around the temple church.

How quicky I imagine a reality where I can flirt with her.  Where we are together. How I wish I could make a move.  She told me her instagram once.  How...

“Just to be clear, I am an ally,” said Orwellian newspeak agent Syme.  “Whether you’re heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, polysexual, pansexual, omnisexual, skoliksexual, demisexual, grey-ace, asexual, polyamorous, intersex, MTF, FTM, agender, genderfluid, bigender, trigender, pangender, genderqueer, demigirl, demiboy, androgyne, intergender, nonbinary, questioning, homoromantic, biromantic, panromantic, or aromantic.”

Then Syme adjusted their...

I’m sorry.  So so sorry.

I love you.  I bought you these flowers.  You, yes you, make it all worthwhile for me.

Fresh roses really brighten up a room, don’t they?  I wanted to brighten up your room.  I wanted to brighten you.  Will you let me brighten your body...