And the Wolf Moon Grinned

A wee story

Don’t remember if this was a Wolf Moon but it was a bright one.

We were mid-fight when the lights went out plunging us into complete darkness. The moon was full that night, a Wolf Moon they said, and it shone through the window like vodka on ice, like a mace and chain, like my anger. All we had for light was our cell phones and one small flashlight - no candles, no lighters, no matches because we didn’t smoke and who buys matches anymore?

The electricity will be back soon, you said, they won’t leave an entire city without power for long. Then you made your way to the kitchen, cursing corners and edges, and made yourself another vodka rocks. I searched the internet for information and found nothing concrete.

I sat on the couch alone looking up at the frigid, indifferent rock pellet glowing in our window and I swear I saw it grin. I wanted, needed, you to sit next to me as my fight-anger dissipated but you stayed in the kitchen playing Beyond: Two Souls, which I find ironic in hindsight. I ruminated in the moonlight alone.

After the divorce your sister said you talked about that night, about the fight and what happened after. You said the power would come back on and it did. You said you offered me a drink while we waited but you didn’t . You said you sat on the couch and reached for me but I pushed you away. A lie.

You wanted to make me the monster in the dark and you wanted to be the slayer. You didn’t count on the strength and light of a full Wolf Moon.

***

I’m becoming increasingly interested in finding Substackers that publish their own fiction. I like to write fiction (and nonfiction and poetry) and there are plenty of writing-related Substacks that offer prompts or give tips on how to write better that are easy to find. But it’s not so easy to find writers posting their own work. Or maybe it’s just me. Maybe you’re looking too? Check these out:

Shared Madness by Sheree Shatsky - Sheree is a friend and her Substack is new. So far, she’s sharing her excellent flash fiction and I highly recommend reading her work.

Short Story Long edited by Aaron Burch - This is actually a lit journal that publishes really great fiction. Aaron has an excellent eye for good writers.

Do you write fiction on Substack? Drop a link in comments. Do you have favorite fiction Substacks? Share!