Benjamin Shaw
Bio
Midwestern transplant living on the U.S. East coast. My stories focus on memory, the trickery of nostalgia, addiction, and family. Thank you for stopping by!
Stories (2)
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January ‘92
My family of origin broke apart in July of 1985, but the real shattering happened in January of '92. My mother, Ann, announced that she was taking my brother Andrew and me out to dinner, and that she had something important she wanted to discuss with us. We left our one floor duplex in the early evening darkness and piled into the car. The windshield wipers squeaked and monotonously battled the sleet, which thrashed the glass in quick gusts. We pulled slowly into the parking lot of Baker's Square, one of the reliable dining mainstays in our village suburb, which my mother frequented a little too often for the health of her checkbook. Our shoes skated along the icy walkway which led to the heavy double-doors of the restaurant. As we entered, Ann very loudly said hello to the young hostess working the front register. The woman and a couple of waiters chirped back, “hey Ann!”. Receiving their greeting, she raised her chin slightly, bathing in the glow of being recognized as a regular. My mother constantly looked for and clung to these strange little notches of status.
By Benjamin Shaw10 months ago in Families
Horizon Pike. Content Warning.
The mud and gravel on Horizon Pike had eroded during the last wave of flooding, transforming the once familiar country road into a crooked, unforgiving coil. The wheels of Ethan’s thirty year-old '87 Chevy pickup sank in little jumps and dips as they found their way, trying as best they could to satisfy the cautious whims of their driver.
By Benjamin Shaw10 months ago in Fiction
