By Frank Vallorosi Previously published in The Whiskey Blot Johnny sat at the kitchen table, his right leg moving up and down as if someone had just dropped hot wax on it. He was an edgy person, a trait made more noticeable by his dark, darting eyes. He spotted his mother passing into the kitchen. … Continue reading Don’t Mind The Paparazzi
Zero Crew
By Hannah Morehead My eyes were sore when I squeezed out of my rack. Sharp pains shot up my legs as my ankles banged on the rungs attached to the rack below mine. The bunkroom was quiet aside from my rustling, the fan in the center dinging every other second and the occasional snore from … Continue reading Zero Crew
Ercan
By Ashok Shenolikar “What’s your name?” I asked the taxi driver after my wife Bharati and I settled in the backseat. “Erjan,” he said. “You want to visit the Hagia Sophia?” he asked. When we agreed he said there would be a two-hour minimum charge. We thought that was reasonable. And we didn’t have any … Continue reading Ercan
The Whip and the Open Hand
By Calla Gold Diary – Monday July 28th 2012 Tallulah Doyle almost fourteen Yesterday Dave said, “A kind heart is better than a heavy hand in dealing with horses.” That’s good, because I got nothing on in the strength department these days. *** Dave’s brows rose above squinting eyes when Tallie greeted him. The spinning … Continue reading The Whip and the Open Hand
The Path
By Jeffrey Campbell Brian Carraway stared at the gas pump’s display as the numbers surged higher. He patted his left front pants pocket to make sure his checkbook was still there. He’d hoped he wasn’t going to need to travel anytime soon, but things had changed. He looked up at the sky. It was still … Continue reading The Path
The Door
By Cecilia Valetti Steve walked along the long corridor that led to Father Brian's parlor. He knew every corner, every floor tile of that corridor. How many times he had gone to talk to Brian while he was living in that orphanage. And then, when he had gone to the police academy, how many times … Continue reading The Door
The Shadchan
By William Hogg It was a day at the end of summer but for Wilmington, North Carolina, a gift. Almost noon and the temperature was not yet seventy. Alan was sitting on a concrete bench, breathing slowly, relaxed, and at peace. He glanced over at his nine-year-old grandson, Tommy, who was sitting at the other … Continue reading The Shadchan
Father’s Silence and Mama’s Lemonade
By Georgia May Father takes me out on the fishing boat every year, for one weekend in June. I don’t know why father does this. He doesn’t speak to me the entire time. Or any other time. He is usually away. Far, far away, on business, and comes home ghost-like, scurrying off to the study … Continue reading Father’s Silence and Mama’s Lemonade
The Swimmers of Cape Fourwind
By Anna Treffer It wasn’t swimming weather. Thick clouds, like stained pumice, thrust the day into premature twilight. The strengthening wind hinted at a storm, throwing salty spray onto the car that pulled up across from Cape Fourwinds. As the engine cut off the pair inside made no move to get out. More salt threw … Continue reading The Swimmers of Cape Fourwind
Only Red Poems and The Desert
By Jean Edmunds Only Red© I can’t see anything in front of me, Only red. The rain clouds, the storms Cannot hide or undertake The dread I feel. In and out it passes, When it remains No other color I see instead, Only red. The clouds move in Over the tide As it rises and … Continue reading Only Red Poems and The Desert
Academy of the Heart And Mind 