I got my painting on the cover of this little anthology book published by Art Access. I also have “Sam’s Wings Fly Away” on one of the pages inside the book and two short written works published inside. Here is one of them. Its not my favorite one, but it seems to be the more popular one.

Awkward Pause

I count to ten.
That’s what the trainers had said to do, and, being trainers, they are supposed to know these things. I’m not sure their method is the best way though.
One.
I cross my legs. She’s waiting for advice and I don’t know what to say.
Two.
Three. The guy across from me clears his throat. He’s probably wondering why I don’t say something. I’m wondering the same thing.
Four.
No one is relating well to these other two people. Like two outcasts. Its my job to pull the group together and I don’t seem to be making that happen. Not very well. I suck.
Five. Six.
Please, please. Someone, say something. Please! Anything at all. A N Y T H I N G
Seven.
The lady to my right fidgets in her chair and smoothes her skirt. I uncross and recross my legs. I should cross them again for luck, lucky three.
Eight.
Now I really need to pee. Always at the most inopportune times. Always. I wonder why that is. Nervous bladder.
Nine.
My head might really implode this time. That would make a huge mess on the white board behind me. I wonder who would clean that up. Poor janitor would get stuck with it. They wouldn’t be able to hold group in here for a few days, that’s for sure.
“Um, that must be really hard on you” I say, breaking the silence. And she starts to talk again. Others start to chime in and things go smoothly. I think we’re over the hump. Its all downhill from here.  Maybe the group can come together, at least a little bit, after all.
Oh shit. One. Two.

Desert Wanderings Volume 10, Fall 2008

My painting on the cover of
Desert Wanderings
published by Art Access.