“Shelley and Harvey” by Caroline Bock

Shelley was the one who married Harvey right out of college, whose parents went into debt for the wedding, saying it was worth it—that he was worth it, they should have said . . .

“Sugaring Off” by Margaret Barbour Gilbert

We went to dinner at the Russian Tea Room on West 57th Street. There was a gypsy beggar in the cold with a melancholy accordion player near the door. The music made me so sad I wanted to cry, but I went inside with Sir Rudolf . . .

EVENTS: Don’t miss Peaches in NYC!

Don’t miss Peaches at WORD in Brooklyn on Tues., June 9, and at Bryant Park on Wed., June 10! Click for details.

FREE E-BOOK: Download Cape Cod Noir for free through Sunday, June 7!

Download a copy of Cape Cod Noir, edited by David L. Ulin, for absolutely free until Sunday, June 7!

“Parenting, Barbershop-style” by Nkosi Ife Bandele

First of all, lemme say that Big Ted’s my man. He always gives me a tight cut, and he’s cool, you know, funny. Got that educated-like slang. (Apparently he did a lot of reading in the joint . . .)

“Death Leaves the Seat Up” by Bill Landauer

“I want to let you both know, Mr. and Mrs. Evighet, that what happens in this office remains here, okay? You can say anything. Think of this as a sanctuary. Mrs. Evighet—may I call you Rebecca?”

“Becky.”

“And Mr. Evighet, I’m a little unclear on your first—”

“THE YAWNING INFINITE IS MY PLAYGROUND, THE SEAS BUT A DROP IN THE FOREVER THAT IS—”

“Bob, you promised! . . .”