The Turf Battles Begin Whitwood Mall was not just a shopping mall in eastern Los Angeles County in 1987. It was a kingdom. A cathedral of consumerism. A shrine of shiny tiles, fluorescent tube lights, and the eternal perfume cloud that hovered between Millers Outpost, JCPenney and Sears like holy incense. And in … Read more
All his life, David Larson had known he was going to be Great. Great with a capital G. Ambition seized his heart, throttled his mind, and sent sparks of electricity through his fingers. He worked a respectable job. He made a good living. However, in the back of his mind there was always that all-consuming … Read more
Amy washes her hands and shakes them dry before returning her patients chart to its proper slot and heading back to the nurse’s station. “You out of here Amy?” Jennifer asked. “Just got a little paperwork to do and then I’m leaving.” Amy answered. “I’m already getting out late so don’t ask me … Read more
The restaurant hums with that perfect Friday night energy—not too loud, not too quiet, just expensive enough to make everyone speak in their indoor voices. I smooth my hands over my black dress for the third time since sitting down, watching Jules study the wine list like it’s a particularly fascinating academic paper. His reading … Read more
Echo Park at twilight feels like a fever breaking in reverse. The air is thick, neon bleeding into the lotus pond until every ripple glows unnatural—pink, teal, a violet that doesn’t exist in daylight. Taco truck smoke curls upward and seems to hang in halos around the streetlights. I tell myself it’s just the way … Read more