The Culling

Featured in Black Buttons Vol. 3: A Family Affair from Magnificent Cowlick Media

  • Publication date: August 2018
  • Editor: Mark L. Groves

ABOUT THE CULLING

After years of estrangement, Gemma’s brothers come home to visit Mama on her death bed. When the overbearing boys start throwing their weight around, Gemma bites her tongue. But when they threaten to sever ties to that which she holds dearest, Gemma finally gets through to them in a way they cannot ignore.

MORE INFO

PUBLICATION DETAILS

The Midwest. People of the earth, who roll up their sleeves and do what need’s doing. They deliver an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay, give gratitude for the simple things, and are humble because the taller you think you are, well, the farther you have to fall on your face. Not a bad place to raise a family, right?

Dig a little deeper, because all is not right where the bible belt buckles. In Black Buttons, Vol.3: A Family Affair, a kith and kin of creepy tales immerse you in blood ties that spellbind.

  • “The Culling” brings siblings together to roost one last time around Mama. Birds of a feather…
  • “Toujours Nicole” bakes a pastry tale of passion lost.
  • “Bald Island, Goat Island” shares the duality of life and death, of reality and memory, of childhood horror and lakeside property.
  • “Night at the Huggy Bear” takes us on a honeymoon trip where two young newlyweds discover how love never leaves. Ever.
  • “The Chosen Ones” preps a family for the apocalypse, by going on a Branson, MO Vacation.
  • “Getting the Last Word” exposes how bad mom and dad really get along.
  • “Juniper Gesso” tries to fix a dying marriage. Some things can’t be whitewashed. Or can they?
  • “Limbo Freezes Over” proves that in the place between heaven and hell, there’s a job that must be done.
  • “Learning to Cook” cooks up a young man’s ascent from his father’s disappointment. Problem is, just desserts aren’t always sweet.
  • “Mind Over Matter” reminds us that Alzheimer’s can make loved ones forget important days. Terribly, horribly important days.
  • “A Life Connected” discovers sisterhood and motherhood don’t hunger for the same ends.
  • “Front Porch Optimist” finds the silver lining in an almost-drowning.
  • “The Troll Wrestler” grapples with the fraternity of the ring, and fights those who troll chosen brethren.
  • “Odds & Ends” shows how Grandpa’s love can fix everything but age and death. Not that he won’t try.

CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

  • Mark L. Groves
  • Shelby Dollar
  • Teri Stettnisch
  • Scott Meeker
  • Amelia Gorman
  • Mary Rajotte
  • Max Sparber
  • Denise Johnson
  • Rhoads Brazos

AN EXCERPT


Mama used to tell me you don’t always gotta shout to make your voice heard. She said sometimes, all it takes is a whisper, that even the quietest words can break a man. Back when we was all kids, she used to sit on the steps murmuring to the chattering starlings that took roost in the old hayloft. I used to think she was just passing time waiting for Pa, in case he decided to come back. Now I know Mama forgot about Pa a long time ago.

© MARY RAJOTTE

READER REVIEWS

I bought this mainly because I’m a huge fan of Mary Rajotte’s writing. It’s creepy and reminds me of Stephen King’s 1922. But was pleasantly surprised at the quality of stories! Thanks for the entertainment

– Louise

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Discover more from MaryRajotte.com

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.