Award-winning short story author Sandra Murphy is my mentor (don’t tell her that’s her role). Her short story, ‘Lucy’s Tree’, won a Derringer award in 2020. Some of her recent work includes ‘Room Service’ for Monkey Business: Crime Stories Inspired by the Films of the Marx Brothers, and editing Peace, Love, and Crime: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of the 60s and Happiness Is Listening to Your Dog Snore, a collection of quotes about dogs.

My favorite thing about Sandy’s stories is that they’re fun and I usually learn something about dogs. Although there are no dogs in my effort, you can judge the funny for yourself. This piece is my proof (mostly to myself) that I have written a short story. I can probably do it again.