In Bloom

by Paul Tremblay

She eyes a cellophane-wrapped pack of pandemic-holdover N95 masks on the passenger seat, but she doubts their efficacy against toxic gas.

residents had been mandated to update or replace their septic systems by the year 2030 in a Cape-wide attempt to curtail the high levels of algae-feeding nitrogen and phosphorus within the untreated human waste that enters the waterways.

Gross

Perhaps like most stubborn men, he didn’t know how to admit to being wrong without foolishly feeling like he was negating himself and everything in which he believed.

“They’ll be okay with me tagging along, observing?” “I’m sure they will. Besides, it’s my boat. It’s my charter.” Jimmy laughs. “Quoting Jaws now, very comforting,” Heidi says.