When Jamie was eight years old, her family loaded into their eight-seater suburban and drove to the neighborhood on the west side of town, where the neighbors had decided either collectively or in an act of bizarre subconscious unity of the mind, to cover their yards in the biggest spectacle of lights, red and green … Continue reading 12 Days of the Holidays: “A Little Bit of Hope” by Claire Griffis
12 Days of the Holidays: “The Card” by Denise Diehl
It was after midnight and very dark. In the low light, no one on the quiet, well-groomed cul-de-sac saw the giant shadow stop before number three and hover at its letterbox because the neighbours were all sleeping in their beds. The apparition was a huge man dressed in the attire of a Viking from a … Continue reading 12 Days of the Holidays: “The Card” by Denise Diehl
12 Days of the Holidays: “Closing Up, Wrapping Down” by Scott Tierney
Superstore, closing time, 'tis the night of Christmas, all that– And already my colleagues and I are taking down the decorations. Lead has been stripped from church roofs with more decency. Yep... Nothing gets one revelling in the Yuletide spirit like an army of disgruntled shelf-stackers laying waste to the season's culmination before it has … Continue reading 12 Days of the Holidays: “Closing Up, Wrapping Down” by Scott Tierney
Muffin in the Mailbox
By K.C. Dunford A mailbox is no place for an unwrapped dessert, specifically those carelessly plopped on lined paper. But there it was—a muffin—top glistening in rusted darkness. Chocolate chunks stuck out—those tiny mysterious mounds. And after the events of late, they looked more like freshly heaped graves. I took the muffin, latched the mailbox, … Continue reading Muffin in the Mailbox
The Night Shift
By Saleah Yusuf “She approached the unfamiliar door, and nervously took the key from her pocket. She took a deep breath, unlocked the door, paused, then opened it. To her horror, she saw… Leslie with no makeup on!” Charlotte exploded into a fit of giggles, at her last statement. Her shoulders shook with every laugh. … Continue reading The Night Shift
Family Affairs
By Karen Kinley The private dining room, despite its sophisticated walnut accents and warm tones, was both stifling and somber. A fitting place for this particular family dinner. Sliding open the paneled screen, a waiter entered the small space and set a plate of edamame down on the white linen tablecloth. He then stood waiting … Continue reading Family Affairs
8 mn 20 s
By Zara Thustra “This is it,” Natalia says as she stares at two tickets on her kitchen table. Stencilled on them, in brown and sandy letters, is World Chess Championship – Lincoln Center – Sat, July 9, 2039 2:00 PM. “I’m doing it today. No more getting cold feet.” Last Friday at the coffee house, … Continue reading 8 mn 20 s
Brave Ramon
By Lewis Brett Smiler Whenever Jen sang at the nursing home, her boyfriend Ramon would forget himself and start singing along. But when Jen looked at him from the piano, he would stop immediately. His off-key voice was very distracting. Yet, seeing her dad’s old coworker Mr. Spinelli was far more unsettling. He used to … Continue reading Brave Ramon
July on the Calendar
By Mehtab Singh The house smelled the same as it had when he left it four years ago. He tried to recall his memories there, but all he could remember was his restricted childhood behind those walls. He did not cry when he buried his parents; he thought it was freedom for him. He entered … Continue reading July on the Calendar
The Burden of Integrity, The Cost of Its Absence
By Cora Tate Robyn’s older sister, Elizabeth, lay dying half a world away, in the regional hospital in Sweden where both were born. A tearful telephone conversation ten days earlier told Beth’s sibling doctors estimated Beth had five weeks to live. Despite sibling arguments and rivalry as children, the sisters enjoyed a close relationship from … Continue reading The Burden of Integrity, The Cost of Its Absence
Academy of the Heart And Mind 