Lot

The men of the city, even the men of Sodom, circled the house and pressed its door and walls. A mass of gaping mouths, wild hounds in their tongues, hands burgeoning with grievous sin. And they called, Bring out the angels, that we may know them, while Father tore bread and sister and I caught each other studying the naked men at our table. Father stood and took both our hands and exclaimed, My beautiful daughters, this day we are touched by God! and he leapt toward the door, opening to the crowd. In the next room, we heard Mother stir, but she didn’t appear. I pray you, Father called out, take the children! Take the children!

Darren J. Smart earned a BFA in creative writing from the University of Maine at Farmington before pursuing a graduate degree in occupational therapy. He now works in Austin, Texas at a neurological rehabilitation center.