Each year, close to her birthday on May 11, Claire Belmonte takes a trip to a little church yard in Houston County, just outside Perry to visit the grave of Christine Messner, whose life dates are 11 May 1973 to 4 September 1989. Christine "died" on the same day she was declared an emancipated minor … Continue reading Ashes
Month: November 2017
Rain Maker
Leah Walker is seated in the reception area of the office of David Cairo, the leading venture capitalist in Atlanta. She’s been working as an independent contractor with firms around town, starting a few months after finishing up work on her second doctorate, which she earned from Georgia Tech, in Internet and Web Security. To … Continue reading Rain Maker
Ned Branch
Edward Abraham Branch, III, called “Ned” by his family to distinguish him from his grandfather, “Big Ed” and his father, still called “Eddie, Jr.” despite the elder Edward being dead for ten years, carried on the fine tradition of Branch men playing football at UGA. A quarterback, Ned was a natural player, and, as such, … Continue reading Ned Branch
Worthy 51, The Phone Call
Rhiannon Worthy enters her home in Seattle, Washington, and slips out of her Crocs, then pads across the living room, sorting through her mail. She's been on a 48-hour rotation at the hospital, where she's a nursing supervisor, and she's looking forward to some down time. It's been a week since her daughter, Abigail and … Continue reading Worthy 51, The Phone Call
House Band, Just One Look
The stage at Eddie's Attic, Decatur, GA, 6 October 2016Rebecca Asher, sixteen, takes a seat at the bar in Eddie's Attic, and picks up a menu. It's her first time here, attending an "all ages" show featuring local Atlanta performers. She's been anxious to visit, since it regularly hosts artists like Michelle Malone and The … Continue reading House Band, Just One Look
House Band
Claire Belmonte maneuvers her Jeep Wrangler into the side driveway at the home of Manny and Deanna Savage in Norcross, and parks by the red Nissan that belongs to Brian Sanger. She’s there to help Brian and his sister, Charlotte, plan out the sound requirements for an upcoming show at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta. … Continue reading House Band
Mommy Issues
Fan Dance, Dolls Head Trail, Constitution Lake, Atlanta, GA.It was early evening, June 1996, at the Clermont Lounge in Atlanta, Georgia. Selma Messner, now calling herself Irene Castleberry, leaned on the bar and looked out at the sparse crowd. She was dressed in a sleeveless yellow blouse, jeans, and work shoes, none of which were … Continue reading Mommy Issues