By Mord McGhee Tony Hutchins opened the door to the shed. Old hinges creaked from rust and the smell of wood washed over him. Wet wood. Freshly cut wood. It was summer. Sticky hot, and the stockpile he’d brought in from trimmings of neighborhood trees stood like soldiers against one wall. He flicked on the … Continue reading South Carolina Blues, and Greens
Mia’s Journey
By E.P. Lande I try to visit my family in Miami once or twice a year and when there, I see people with whom I’ve maintained a friendship since I left, to live in northern Vermont. Jessica was one of these people. When I first arrived in this country from my native Cuba—via Italy, … Continue reading Mia’s Journey
Sydney’s Eyes
By Luke Beling Sydney’s Eyes Sydney had one eye. When he'd drive me to school, I used to ask him about the missing one. He'd tell me a different story every day, laughing through a set of crooked, stained teeth. I marveled at how Sydney would reverse our big VW bus down the steep driveway. … Continue reading Sydney’s Eyes
Flowers and Teddy Bears or Deborah and the Mother of Sisera
By Joan Leotta Journal Entries July 15, 2024 The analyst we saw when they released my precious eight-year-old granddaughter, Jenna, from the hospital said that keeping a journal would help us both. I am not sure what she is writing in hers, but here is mine. And it is helping. Yesterday, Jenna went to the … Continue reading Flowers and Teddy Bears or Deborah and the Mother of Sisera
Not Set in Stone
By Amber Soha Originally published by cc&d magazine at scars.tv I walked into that room, and saw her face, and I knew. I’ve seen it before, on different faces, in different places. Death. We sat down, and held her hand, and listened to the doctor speak. My eyes welled while he asked his questions. I stared … Continue reading Not Set in Stone
Cold Love
By Katie Lane Dei Originally published by cc&d magazine at scars.tv I step out of the warm Australian bungalow and am slapped in the face by a gust of cold air. I pull the collar of my jacket up higher and my beanie down lower. I squint my eyes and see her standing there in front … Continue reading Cold Love
The Boat Trip
By Elliot Slater Sam, behind the wheel, watched his father secure their reconverted lobster boat to a dock cleat in his easy, expert way. The cleat, mottled by salt and sun, served as a footrest for Sam’s grandfather, who stood on the dock grasping a railing against the swells of the ocean. Sam’s father and … Continue reading The Boat Trip
Cemetery Hill
By Daryel A. Groom Ronny was 7 years old when his grandfather Rodolfo passed away. Dr. Ramirez had come to the house while the village of Marcala was just awakening to the warm tropical sun. He said he had a heart attack in his sleep. This sudden death was unexpected since grandpa was healthy despite … Continue reading Cemetery Hill
Let Sleeping Gators Lie
By Lesley L. Smith When I opened the front door, my go-bag on my back, the humidity was as dense as an anchor. The scent of rot and dead fish assailed me. Ick. I never seemed to get used to the smell; it took me by surprise every time I opened the door. The 'Welcome … Continue reading Let Sleeping Gators Lie
The Gallery
By Thomas Philbrick Edgar folded into the armchair and tried to remember the first time he had looked in the gallery window. He had been young, barely old enough to know what he was looking at, and his mother had held him up so that he could look at one of the seascapes behind the … Continue reading The Gallery
Academy of the Heart And Mind 