Mack D. Ames
Bio
Tongue-in-cheek humor. Educator & hobbyist writer in Maine, USA. Mid50s. Emotional. Forgiven. Thankful. One wife, 2 adult sons, 1 dog. Novel: Lost My Way in the Darkness: Jack's Journey. https://a.co/d/6UE59OY. Not pen name Bill M, partly.
Stories (78)
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Is Revival Always Good?
Hampson was a quaint village in the heart of eastern Maine, far from the hustle and bustle of economic activity and tourism that created enthusiasm for residents. "You can't get there from here" is a popular phrase among Mainers everywhere, but it was especially true of Hampson. It didn't seem to be connected to anything. However, it was just large enough to have an elementary and middle school, and whatever social activities could be found in the town happened there.
By Mack D. Ames2 years ago in Fiction
Deadly Dreams. Content Warning.
John Weston was the wildest son of a gun you could ever meet as far as I was concerned. At age 19, he could out-hunt, fish, wrestle (thumb, arm, or on the mat), and drink any other man in our county. I wouldn't call him impulsive, but he had a short fuse. He did not suffer fools gladly, and it didn't take long for one (or more) to earn a challenge from John to shut up, get out, or fight. As quick as he was to mix it up, though, when the matter was settled to his satisfaction, he'd stop the fight and move on with his life. "No need to humiliate anyone, Billy," he'd say to me. "Just prove your point."
By Mack D. Ames2 years ago in Confessions
Arrested by Necessity. Top Story - May 2024.
Do you have a favorite place to visit when you're overwhelmed by your thoughts? Do you get overwhelmed by your thoughts? I suppose not everyone experiences the paralyzation that occurs when too many decisions creep in. I get knots in my (ample) stomach that twist and turn into cramps. Within minutes, my pulse increases and I force myself to remain calm, but anxiety starts poking at my chest like a toddler attempting to wake his papa for a snack. The cause of my tension is lost by this time, and my focus turns to slowing my breathing, "staying present in the moment," and remembering where I am and why.
By Mack D. Ames2 years ago in Men
Don't Blink
Carl and Jeni saved and scrimped for years to afford a small sailboat for days like this. When they met their senior year of high school, they didn't like each other at first, but their friend groups collided regularly. Eventually, they began to see each other in gracious light. Begrudging civility advanced to the talking stage in time for graduation, and they spent the summer working at a local golf course as their friendship threatened to blossom into something more.
By Mack D. Ames2 years ago in Fiction
Eclipse
Even Cancer Lies In Prolapsed Silence Eventually
By Mack D. Ames2 years ago in Poets
Phillips & Sanderson
Scott sat in his period three biology class and tapped his pen impatiently on the textbook in front of him. Tap tap tap, tap-tap taap, tap-tap taap. In his mind, he was picturing Darth Vader striding to the command center of the Imperial Death Star while the soundtrack played in time with the pen taps. None of his classmates had any idea of this, of course, and they shot dark looks at his annoying noises. He was oblivious until his friend Mark tossed an eraser in his face.
By Mack D. Ames2 years ago in Fiction
All Talk No Action. Content Warning.
"It's madness for him to be upset about such a silly thing. Why, when I was young, that sort of behavior was perfectly acceptable, so long as one kept it behind closed doors, you understand. It's nobody's business but theirs, anyway, and he has no right to fly off the handle as he did. It's shameful. Utterly shameful."
By Mack D. Ames2 years ago in Criminal
Head and Shoulders Above. Content Warning.
Y’know, it wasn’t as if anyone would ever consider me a suspect for it. The building had been there longer than I’ve been alive, and they only recently decided to tear it down. I mean, my god, the cruelty of the man involved—everyone knew he was a pervert. It’s a wonder they even let him work there, for god’s sake. His clothes stank, he never shaved, and his hair dripped with grease and chlorinated water. My stomach flip-flops just remembering those awful lessons I was forced to endure with him.
By Mack D. Ames2 years ago in Horror
A Cut Above
“I didn’t know how to tell him that I needed to know the ‘why’ before I could understand the ‘how.’ I was twenty years old! It took another twenty-five years to sort that out. He passed years ago, but I highly doubt he’d believe what I’m doing now. I’m sure I’ve told you that he used to have to reteach almost every lesson to me in his office because I didn’t comprehend enough of the material in class. No, there’s just no way he ever would’ve seen this coming.” I said this today to a college student at the correctional facility where I work.
By Mack D. Ames2 years ago in Education
Sally's Joy
Sally's bright blue eyes brimmed with joy. Every direction she turned, children laughed with delight, squealed as the icy white powder found its way under their snowsuits to their bare skin, and roared with excitement as they raced down the hill on their sleds. She loved to make kids happy, and this day was filled with them.
By Mack D. Ames2 years ago in Fiction
