Mike Itaya

Mike Itaya lives in southern Alabama, where he works in a library. His work appears or is forthcoming in decomP Magazine, Queen Mob’s Teahouse, Swamp Ape Review, Heavy Feather Review, and The Lindenwood Review.

SENIORS ON THE MOVE by Mike Itaya

I’m Old Boy.  In the assisted living, they give me the journal, for a doodling. I write camphor, cancer. Camphor, cancer. I don’t give a shit. I’m Old Boy.  It’s Tuesday. And right off, things go bad. Somebody swiped Rundy’s anxiety candle.  “Who’s fucking with my aromatherapy?” He wants to know.  I used to drink. I don’t have the mind for it. My back’s fucked. I sleep out in the banquet hall, like a plank, waiting on them lunch ladies. I flash peepers and spot Rundy beneath the salad bar—guzzling stuff—working up to frenzy. He monograms his onesie with ranch…

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