Sabrina Cleary fiction short story Select Reviews Posted by Bryce Darun
Durian by Nancy Panganiban, 10″ x 10″, Acrylic on birch panel, 2023
Select Reviews Posted by Bryce Darun
Canine Vacay – June 22, 2024
We’ve been taking Luna to Canine Vacay since he was a pup. Now, he’s an adult, black-and-tan medium-sized dog that loves his time there. CV is great about texting updates with photos so we know he enjoys his swim time and nature walks. But today our family of four is starting a road trip. Even though we had a reservation and he’s stayed there several times, they wouldn’t take Luna because his vaccinations expired last week. Last week! They knew he was coming but wouldn’t let him stay. And Luna’s vet is closed today and tomorrow, so now we’re stuck taking him with us.
Dazzy Donuts! – June 22, 2024
We only made it an hour on our road trip when Dazzy’s Donuts colorful billboards started popping up. My daughter (going into grade 7), son (going into grade 4), and wife (2 years older than me haha) kept making convincing pleas to stop and honestly, the billboards worked on me too. Although much smaller (haha), the doughnuts at the store look just like the ones on the billboards. They taste even better than they look. My wife and I both said we’d eat one knowing we’d probably eat 2, but then we had 3 each! The kids loved them too. My son can be an angry little guy at times. These kept him quite pleased. It was pleasant to hear the kids giggling and getting along for such a long period of time. Dazzy’s provides delicious donuts AND babysitting for long road trips! Haha.
Magic Self-Wash – June 22, 2024
Magic came through right when we needed them the most! The exterior of our small, white SUV looks great, but the real problem was on the inside. My kids thought it was fun to feed our dog Dazzy Donuts. We wondered why they were being so quiet. I don’t know why my wife didn’t investigate. I mean, I was driving the car. And those are expensive donuts to be used as dog treats! Anyway, Magic has powerful hoses with a long reach. Their interior cleaning tools and super powerful vacuum hose was able to suck up all the dog donut vomit. It even got it out of the crevices of the upholstery! The vending area is great too. Maybe a little overpriced, but there are some good cleansers and air fresheners that were worth every cent to this family of four!
Carda at Mason’s Square – June 23, 2024
Check-in took forever. There was a short line, but everything just took forever and all my family wanted to do was get to bed. My kids did a great job of tolerating a long day of driving. It would have been great to be able to get them in bed sooner. A two-queen room is a little cramped for a family of four. Adjoining rooms would have also given us more privacy after we put the kids to sleep in their room.
Mick’s Ostrich Farm and Rodeo – June 24, 2024
This is a unique place that we didn’t have a clue existed until my daughter pulled a flyer from a rest stop. Since we’re taking a casual road trip to bond on our way to my sister’s (it’s been too long since my kids saw their cousins), we decided this is the perfect place to have some fun. They gave a brief tour of the farm which included some crazy facts (and even more corny jokes) about ostriches. The lemonade in the cantina is great as were the taquitos. The best part came at my expense 🙂 Each night they have a rodeo which is really just a race between two ostriches with adults riding them! They are big and fast! Well, between my wife, 9-year-old son, and my 12-year-old daughter, guess who rode the ostrich? I held on in the first round, but they gave me a different bird the second time and I bit the dust but not before my family scored some great videos. And let’s be honest, to them the best videos are of the ones when I take a spill. This is some great family fun that all of us enjoyed and laughed about for hours. No dogs allowed.
The Happy Cannabis – June 24, 2024
Our travels took us to a state where “it” is legal. I had never done “it” before, but I just found out that my wife smoked “joints” with a college boyfriend! The employees of THC were friendly and knowledgeable but slow-moving. They helped us figure out what we wanted. There were so many options. I’ve heard of “pot brownies” but didn’t realize they evolved to all sorts of “edibles” like gummy candies, Rice Krispie treats, cookies, and even beverages. Great experience for first time buyers. We look forward to trying them out once the kids are asleep!
Melody Inn & Resort – June 24, 2024
Their accommodations are accommodating. The TVs are really nice. I watched for what felt like hours! We were really in the mood for snacks and even though the gift shop was closed, the manager on duty opened it only after insisting that we put on shirts. I mean, I’m a guy and my wife was wearing a bra, but it wasn’t a sports bra so it wasn’t okay, whatever. Instead of going back upstairs to get shirts, we splurged on Melody Inn robes. The plushest we’ve ever worn! Be sure to check out the carpet patterns in the hallways. Super cool! The bed was ultra comfortable and had a nice bounce to it. We put it to such good use that the neighbors complained about the noise even though our kids in the adjoining room slept peacefully through the night.
Gold Cup Putt Putt – June 25, 2024
This is the fanciest mini golf that I ever played. It’s actually four indoor courses all in vibrant colors and dazzling lights. The layout is awesome. The holes combine different sports and games with mini golf. The vibe is really cool and the beats are banging. My son loved it when we got there but got frustrated at the difficulty of the course. My wife and I were very concerned that he was going to have a meltdown and began to blame each other over whose idea it was to come here, but my daughter took her time to help and encourage him with every putt. It was a great family experience to watch her form a lifelong memory with her little brother. The food is okay, but the cocktails are unique and delicious. Be careful though. If you’re like me, your wife might end up mad at you because she has to drive a double-leg of a road trip.
Batty’s Place – June 26, 2024
My wife wanted to try a local spot for dinner, but I insisted on Batty’s. It’s a consistent chain that provides consistent food and service, which is just what we needed, some consistency. I don’t know what was so interesting about their particular children’s placemat, but my son went to town on coloring it with only the three crayons they gave us. I played the two-player sit-down arcade race game near the restrooms with my daughter while we waited for our food. The only thing that bothered me about the restaurant were the Quick Ready (QR for those of you not in tech) codes on the table. They never functioned properly. We tried to add drinks and desserts, but it never worked. We even tried paying our bill with it. None of it worked. Having just been let go with two hundred other IT specialists from my company, it’s especially frustrating. Everything relies on IT to run smoothly, but no one appreciates the cost and effort to make it come to fruition.
Heck’s Roadside Saloon and Odditorium – June 27, 2024
There’s lots to see and do and buy. Instead of alcohol, they have a large variety of root beer on tap. My wife (a former senior paralegal at one of the country’s preeminent law firms who inexplicably quit her job last month) explains that since there’s a gas station attached, it would be a liability to sell to-go consumable alcohol to drivers. None of us drink root beer, but it was still cool. There were definitely some different artifacts here too like the chicken nuggets from 30 years ago and the 15-foot ceramic surfer dude holding a hockey stick. Even so, the place couldn’t hold my youngest’s attention.
Konnekt Wireless – June 27, 2024
This small location had two employees working. At first we got the one that didn’t seem to care about anything in the world. Once Max finished with another customer, he helped us. My wife thought a cell phone would keep our son occupied and focused. I thought we should have waited at least another 6 months when he hit double digits. Max helped us pick out the right phone and durable case (which is a necessity since my son is prone to tantrums and it’s only a matter of time before his phone goes flying). The whole process took an hour. I would have liked it if it went quicker.
Catawba Dog Park – June 27, 2024
This is a spacious dog park situated inside the even larger Catawba Lake Park which has great walking trails and two playgrounds. Even though the dog park has lots of signage and stations for cleaning up after your pet, some people don’t do it. I stepped in a large pile of sh*t when I raced the kids over to see who my wife was talking too. She was laughing and carrying on like I hadn’t seen her do in years with two good looking men around my age. All three praised how wonderful the dog park is for meeting good people. My kids weren’t as wild about it. They wanted to get back to the playground and games area.
Funland ’80s Arcade – June 28, 2024
This blast from the past arcade is rad. They’ll have your favorite games from the eighties and nineties. Plus they have games that your local arcade didn’t have but you always wanted to play. They even have those games you sucked at but didn’t have enough quarters to master. My wife complained that she didn’t play these games when she was growing up and had no desire to play them now. We had to pay for the kids admission even though they played on their phones the whole time. Funland served deliciously cold beer in cans. Sweet coozies are only $2.
Mary Ellen Dolls Outlet – June 28, 2024
If you’re into the most expensive dolls and their accessories, you’ll love this place. My wife insisted that we drive back to it after spending “so much wasted time” at an arcade that I wanted to visit on a road trip. We actually went in the wrong direction to visit this store, and I can’t say that it was worth it. My wife wanted to connect with my daughter over the dolls even though it was obvious to me that my daughter was not into it. She used to be, and I’m sure there’s a point when she’ll become nostalgic and drag her partner to the outlet, but she definitely wasn’t feeling it today. I think my daughter intentionally provoked her younger brother into removing the eyes from one of the display dolls. My wife who just quit her senior level paralegal position because she says she was being treated unfairly and didn’t agree with the firm’s ethics argued that we shouldn’t have to pay for it since it was on display to be played with. While she was getting ready to take the case to the Supreme Court, I quietly paid for the damages and got us out of there.
Eklund Family Dining – June 29, 2024
My wife thinks they push multiple beverages on you for breakfast to run up the bill. After we ordered coffee for us and hot chocolates with homemade whipped cream for the kiddos (they loved it!) the server recommended the fresh squeezed orange juice. It sounded delicious. He even recommended a pitcher to save us money in the long run if any of us had more than one glass. It was delightful and refreshing! I’m glad I got it even though my wife thought it was excessive. It was good for the kids to get the vitamin C, too. The kids pancakes are good but small. My All-In-Omelet was outrageously delicious. Cinnamon rolls are gooey and sweet. My wife found the eggs to be runny and the hash browns undercooked, but she had it in for this place from the start.
Babcock Caves and State Park – June 29, 2024
This place doesn’t get anything right and it’s not worth the money. The caves are dank and cold. I should have known from buying the tickets ahead of time online. The website UX was terrible. It was confusing and took too many clicks. I had to enter my credit card information twice, so you know they’ll double bill me. Another business that doesn’t appreciate the value of good tech. The place put the whole family in a foul mood.
Skinny’s Bowling & Billiards – June 30, 2024
The bar serves up the sauce after all the other bars are closed.
Beaver Falls – June 30, 2024
Online pics make these waterfalls look much more magnificent than they actually are. They must have been taken after days of heavy rainfall. The main part is only a 20-foot drop, and it’s more of a stream than a river. Trust me. There’s no reason to visit Beaver Falls. Not only that, I got the whole family pumped to see busy beavers, and there wasn’t a single one! ZILCH! The gift shop (which was much more robust than the actual falls) didn’t even have anything with a beaver on it. Not a single shirt, keychain, stuffed animal, nothing. My youngest was very disappointed and threw a tantrum on the floor. They rudely asked us to leave after only ten minutes of this. They have no business telling us how to parent. It’s their fault for not having anything with a damn beaver on it.
Crossroads Fare – June 30, 2024
After a long day on the road, we were excited to find a restaurant open late. We were starving. Imagine our disappointment when we walked up to the door, and it was locked even though the “OPEN” sign was burning bright in the window! Those signs come with a simple responsibility that too many people can’t handle these days! Turn the stupid sign off if you’re closed!
Budget Slumber – July 1, 2024
We were spending through our vacation fund faster than anticipated on our family road trip, so we stayed the night at a motel to save a few bucks. No one liked it, not even the dog who growled at the door all night. The first floor was particularly scary for the kids because it seemed people kept coming and going and talking in the parking lot all night long. My son slept in bed with me and my daughter with my wife. Even the vending machine was terrible. It was only half stocked with bizarre snacks in faded packaging. It didn’t even take credit cards.
Threshold Tavern & Grill – July 1, 2024
Tension was in the air the moment we walked into this crowded restaurant. Fake smiles were plastered on everyone’s faces when they asked how many and if we wanted a booth or table. I wanted a table, but my wife and kids chose booth. When I complained about the water not having ice and being lukewarm, my wife told me to calm down and that I didn’t even drink water. But when her sweet potato fries came out cold, it was a different story. She didn’t want to hear me say that she should calm down. They managed to upset our two children by making us squabble over food temps. Then the next thing you know the whole restaurant is looking at us. RUDE!
Kutchin County Fair – July 2, 2024
My sister thought this small county fair would be a great place to take the children. Her family enjoys it every year. My daughter snuck off and found the Dice Wheel game (aka chuck-a-luck). She was using birthday money from my mother-in-law to gamble! My wife was really p*ssed that she was playing and that they were letting her play, but I have to be honest, the thawp of the leather indicator against the spinning pins was enticing. I joined her in the fun! We had a blast together. I noticed my wife getting more upset, so I suggested she order a second elephant ear which are obviously delicious since she ate one all by herself! Rides are average.
Beddy Buy – July 3, 2024
Antonio helped solve a problem with great recommendations and Independence Day Celebration deals. My wife was upset about the sleeping arrangements while visiting my sister and her family in Basonne. While they were bickering, I scooped up my son (who can really feed off others’ anger) and headed to BB. Antonio was sympathetic to my situation. He suggested two rollaway mattresses and new pillows for everyone. He said that a good pillow makes all the difference and after my son and I tried out all they have, we agreed! Antonio suggested a waffle weave, lavender-essence one for my hard to please wife.
Sunflower Fields Regional Airport – July 5, 2024
It was a frustrating trip to the airport. Only one drop off lane was open due to construction. At least my wife couldn’t nag me on which lane to choose. It looked like they were working on everything, the road, the canopy, the parking deck. It was slow going, but we were plenty early to drop off my son, wife, and family dog. My daughter and I were forced to say our goodbyes from the inside the car rather than hold up traffic unnecessarily.
Bayleaf Coffee & Tea – July 13, 2024
This has been my go-to coffee bar in Basonne Township. The atmosphere is nice. There are friendly baristas and kind customers. Give my middle schooler a whipped dalgona coffee and point her toward the beanbag section with her phone in hand and she’s good to go for an hour or two. Like the coffee, Bayleaf’s wi-fi is strong, and they always have a place where I can set up shop to complete coding contract work.
Basonne Storage – August 5, 2024
Rex, the owner, embodies everything I love about Bassone Township and Kutchin County. Everyone here is less superficial and more wholesome than what I’ve grown accustomed to. The 12 month rate on storage units is less expensive than 6, but I only needed it for 6 (or less) months. Rex was sympathetic to my situation. He rented me in a smaller unit for less $$$ and sold me a quantity of high quality storage boxes that I can “pack and stack to the ceiling” in Rex’s words. The price ends up being the same, but I get to keep the sturdy boxes!!
StaySerenity Suites – August 8, 2024
My daughter and I have been living with my big sister for the past month, but our situation is changing. My daughter is being forced to return home to her brother and mother. It’s too bad because Basonne is such a wonderful, genuine town where she’d make great new friends if she gave it a chance. Since she’s not staying with me, I decided on this furnished extended stay motel for the time being. Get an end unit on the top floor if you can. They’re quieter because you have one neighbor nextdoor and no feet stomping above you. The kitchenette is dated, but I eat most meals out. The carpet is new, but the couch is sketchy. I just covered it with a couple of blankets.
Fischer, Shriver, & Motteneker LLC – February 19, 2026
I mostly worked with this law office remotely to dissolve my marriage. I was married 13 years. They worked so slowly that I thought it was going to take another 13 to finalize the divorce! They were setting me up for their failures early on in our relationship by telling me it would be very difficult to gain custody of the children since I moved out of state. They never listened to my advice on how to handle certain situations and the few times they did, they implmented them all wrong. It cost me even more money because they sold me on something called Collaborative Divorce. What a sham that was! If the two people divorcing could collaborate, they wouldn’t be getting divorced! So after wasting a bunch of money on that, we switched my attorneys within the firm and went the “traditional” route which was even more contentious. It seemed cut and dry to me and everyone I know that my ex-wife was the one at fault, yet here I am broke and without my kids.
Basonne Tavern – February 27, 2026
Cheap drinks and casual conversation dominate this bar. All the patrons’ pasts are variations of each other’s, so there’s no need to talk about them. I keep telling the owner that she needs an app.
Sabrina Cleary is a former metro Atlanta English teacher who holds a BFA in acting and a master’s in project management. Her short stories, poems, stage plays, and audio dramas have appeared in various literary magazines, and her teen novel was released by Immortality Press. Dig deeper at theclearyscene.com.
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