Is This Situation Only Temporary?

My daughter needed a ride into school today so she could be on time for an AP test, a test which no longer seems an honor but a requirement for college entry. 

My car was at a quarter tank, and this was a big driving day, so I pulled into a local Shell, a behemoth of a station: At least six bays of three pumps each.  There was a hand-lettered sign taped to the pump I pulled up to: “Super (93) Only."  I pulled away and drove into another bay.  Same thing.  Every single pump was labeled Super (93) Only.

“Be right back,” I told Squints.

Read more »

This Situation is Only Temporary: Stories

“I don’t think they allow puppies in the library,” the woman said to Squints, her eyes wide behind her round glasses.

After two weeks, my son has memorized his lines: “He’s a service dog in training.”

“You know,” she persisted, “that you have to give him back.”

Well, yeah.  That’s kind of the point. 

Read more »