Cold Night, Hot Chili

Andy Betz

My cabin has three benefits this time of year; a fireplace I keep continuously burning, the isolation from civilization, and her periodic visits. She keeps our conversations brief.

“Did you finally kill my husband?” I merely confirmed that with a head nod.

“How did you do it?” Again, I nodded with my head toward the large sledge hammer.

“Where did you kill him?” I pointed to the table. Her husband accepted my invitation to meet at a hotel miles away. I murdered him there.

“How did you get rid of the body?” I refilled her bowl and offered her seconds.

 

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With degrees in Physics and Chemistry, Andy Betz has tutored and taught in excess of 30 years. His novel (The Lady in Red Quilt), his short stories (“If Revenge is What You Seek,” “To Tell or Not to Tell,” “The Copy,” “Kelly”, “My Color,” and “Mrs. Zeeman”), and his poems (“Soon,” “When I Was 10,” and “I Watched the Ocean”) are works still defining his style. He lives in 1974, has been married for 26 years, and collects occupations (the current tally is 95).