Andrew Cyr

The winter sun’s hue dimmed from a bright yellow to a deeper gold as it sank below the horizon. I fit Nancy’s luggage in my trunk. I cupped my hands, blew warmth into my fingers, and closed the trunk. I was taking a woman from Yakima to Seattle. The three-hour drive might take longer, with light snow expected. It was the weekend of Nancy’s wedding. I worked as a police … [Read more...] about Wedding Derailed, By: Andrew Cyr

I held the icy rail and scaled the stairsto Natalia’s apartment.My windburned cheeks stung.My chapped lips cracked.I doubled over, placing my handson my knees to catch my breath.I put my ear to the dooras a deafening silence hung thick.I knocked.I nibbled on my thumb.No movement.No answer.I dug into my pockets,and retrieved a spare key,twisted a key in her doorknob,and the … [Read more...] about Switched Locks, By: Andrew Cyr

It’s December at our bed-and-breakfast. Tavern Without The Beer. Yes, that’s the name. We’d become a minor tourist attraction. Mom’s dad owned the place, and she loved it here so much that she never left. Ski slopes rested miles in either direction. I finished painting fake snow on the windows. I erected a holiday tree with decorations and draped silver and gold around it with … [Read more...] about Bed And Breakfast Miracle, By: Andrew Cyr

The Christmas spirit gave me cheers,until Kara called it quits.I had two days to find a dinner date.I couldn’t go home alone, not again.Have Mom badger me about settling down.No thanks.I dated Kara for six months.She tutored me in mathand got a bang instead of a buck.But that’s all it was—a bang.I told her good riddance. The doorbells jingledas I entered the diner.Another … [Read more...] about Lori Over Holidays, By: Andrew Cyr

We sat at our kitchen tableover cigarettes and eggnog lattes.The Christmas lights wrappedaround the treeand silver and gold hungabove the fireplace,along with the stockings.The festive lights cycledthrough an array of colors.Suzanne took a puff and blewout the smoke.She flicked the cancer stickinto the ashtray.Suzanne slid her hand across the table.My grief drove her crazy.We … [Read more...] about Christmas Redemption, By: Andrew Cyr