In a chemistry classroom somewhere along the Gulf Coast, students struggle to complete a laboratory experiment involving colorful liquids in glass test tubes while their teacher looks on. A mounted television monitor is tuned to the weather channel. The sound is muted, but it’s clear from the map that a major hurricane is headed towards the city.   *   Stiltski (“it’s Polish,” he tells everyone, even though he is clearly not of Polish descent), the smallest boy from the chemi

He began drumming the fingers of his right hand lightly against the tumbler, its cut glass cooled by the ice and what remained of the bourbon. It was an aimless rhythm that signified nothing save his apprehension. He ground out the butt of one cigarette and shook another from the half-empty pack on the polished mahogany bar, snapped open his silver lighter and put flame to tobacco, drawing deeply. Nearly ten years he’d gone without nicotine. Then came the prospect of seeing h

Frank Sutton’s fifteen-year-old cat seemed to enjoy rousting him   from sleep only on Saturdays when he had the day off and could stay in bed an extra hour. Today was no exception. Fully awake, he shooed the beast from his chest with a muttered curse and dressed quickly – khakis and a starched button-down with an ink stain on the pocket. He was thinking of leaf-filled gutters, bacon and eggs, the divorce Cheryl had threatened last week right after church, for no good reason.