“I’ve been workin four tens, and then I’m doin this now on my days off.  The money’s good.” He purses his lips, and nods slowly, “I’m thinkin about doin it full time.”   Carol Ann King does not respond, and the man seems to realize that he’s said too much.  He smiles sheepishly.   King… Read More

Ellie Endsley and James Carlos Cates are huddled together around a small table. Just down the hall from the kitchen in which they sit is the City of Edinburg’s Council Chamber and public hearing room.   There’s another couple in the kitchen – a man and a woman. They are huddled close, toying with empty… Read More

They’ve been putting out yard signs for more than 12 hours, and it’s just after midnight on a Thursday. Bud’s driving, and Kerry is curled up in the passenger seat, trying to sleep.   “He’s the one, right?” Bud asks again.   Kerry moans plaintively. She tries to turn farther away from Bud, but her… Read More

“Intelligent life – while rare – is always growing and dying across the universe. But, it takes a long time for intelligent life to evolve, and none of the universe’s civilizations have ever existed at the right time and place to receive communications from the other civilizations. Just as a handful of sailors clinging to… Read More

“My godmother used to say that pro-life advocates are like superheroes: they protect the weakest among us from forces beyond our control.”   Ellie Endsley is standing, wrapped in a robe, typing thoughtfully at a tall, ornate desk. From the honorable Herman “Vitch” Avromovitch’s corner suite on the 45th floor, she can see the sun… Read More

The old ranch truck slides to a stop at the crossing of FM 669, and a cloud of dust washes over the truck. The passenger door creaks loudly as James Carlos Cates steps out to unchain the gate.   Britt Huff drives the truck across 669 while Cates closes and rechains the gate. Then Cates… Read More