Stories by
Derek Dexheimer

When the wild things came, everything was different. They were younger, and confused, and wanted to hold my hand.

Derek Dexheimer (@dex3703) is getting better all the time.​

The damage healed, forests and oceans cover the world. There is one desert. At its center, an old Donkey Kong machine plays itself.

Derek Dexheimer (@dex3703) is getting better all the time.​

Nobody had time for boys or sun. The ship was cold, leaking regret and self-indulgence, the grownups bailing as fast as they could.

Derek Dexheimer (@dex3703) is getting better all the time.​

People harp on right and wrong, but I don’t know. Once you’ve seen a dying star blow ten planets to ash, your perspective changes.

Derek Dexheimer (@dex3703) is getting better all the time.​

On the eighth morning, he stopped reading. This book is terrible, he said.

Derek Dexheimer (@dex3703) lives in Seattle. His book’s second draft will be done by Christmas, he hopes.

God lives in the desert, the old man told him.
How do you know?
Old man squints to the dust horizon.
I met him there. He was unhappy.

Derek Dexheimer (@dex3703) lives in Seattle. His book’s second draft will be done by Christmas, he hopes.

He followed at idle, passenger door open. Her heels clacked on the icy sidewalk. He put the ring away, out of questions.

Derek Dexheimer (@dex3703) lives in Seattle. His book’s second draft will be done by Christmas, he hopes.

All his life he built the tower of jewels. In the end it disappointed him, and he gave it to his slaves. But we are hungry, they said.

Derek Dexheimer (@dex3703) lives in Seattle. His book’s second draft will be done by Christmas, he hopes.

I waited for you. They said I was a fool, but I didn’t want money. It wasn’t even for love. Every life has a purpose, and that was mine.

Derek Dexheimer (@dex3703) gives his report at dex3703.wordpress.com. He is working on a novel.

She waited all night for the bus: cheer team gym bag half-full, boyfriend’s coat warm, belly warmer, sunrise air cold on her flipflop feet.

Derek Dexheimer (@dex3703) gives his report at dex3703.wordpress.com. He is working on a novel.