Humor and nonsense, flights of fantasy into other realms, fright, disgust and disappointment, silliness and wonderment, and the sadness of reality and heartache.

It's all here, and more, in stories that may leave you a little Off Center in the Attic.

Acting in a Coffin — A director plays a prank that backfires on a movie set.

The Wallflower — A woman compares herself to one who is the life of the party.

Pupule — A neighborhood gets a lesson in humility from a crazy old Hawaiian man.

To Soar — What a bird drops.

Out of Body — A man is shot and his brain goes through a metamorphosis.

Looking for Life — Never the right one.

Most Wanted — The killer of young boys remains at large.

Grandpappy's Cows — Antics of backward backwoods relatives.

Boy at the Crossroad — The making of a monster.

Cafeteria Science — How to lose your lunch.

Indoctrination — A daring woman wants to experience something different and gets her wish.

Explosive Day — No escape.

The Smell of Death — A clue to the dying.

Legacy — A woman in mourning changes her life to follow in her mother's footsteps.

An Urgent Message — A plea to a writer.

Rituals — Neurosis as a way of life.

Watched — Being watched can kill.

The Swimmer — A man losing his sanity.

Thanatos — The urge to die.

Alien Footprints — An invisible perpetrator.

Vibratory Rates — Visitations from heaven and hell.

The Voodoo Kit — A Jamaican hex follows a woman home.

Pekoe — A newborn kitten abandoned in a portable toilet.

Great Lady of Wisdom — A holy goat.

The Last Thing I Do — The end of making memories.

Future Winner — A little-known artist gets a break.

Innocence — A high school girl on the verge of betrayal by her innocence.

Sister Fly — Karma

Homeless, Not Heartless — A man and his dog.

Roots — What you may find when tracing your family tree.

Mary Deal

Books