By Jim Bates Deep in the Northwoods lake country, the water glistened jewel-like under the bright sun. Waves were lapping on the shoreline bringing with them a gentle cadence to the day. The sand on the beach was scorching hot but seven-year-old Jack didn’t mind. He sat on the shore half in and half out … Continue reading Arrowroot Cookie
Over there Beyond The Fence
By Katrina Johnston Sometimes Tricia’s sons played super heroes. Kayden, her youngest, pretended the sunglasses were night vision scanners imbued with infrared. Maybe Gavin too, although he was three years older and not overly imaginative or much wiser. Maybe he had tossed their mother’s glasses over the fence and into Gary Sitwell's yard. Tricia hoped … Continue reading Over there Beyond The Fence
The Chase
By Peace Nkeiruka Maduako It began to rain. The cold rain water dripped onto our heads from the leaves of the mango tree we sat under. As we gathered around for warmth, all we could hear in the surrounding bushes was the sound of the heavy rain splattering in the puddles collecting allover the place. … Continue reading The Chase
Once Was Lost, Now Is Found
By Frances Gaudiano Since they had moved away from their old home, they didn’t go to London much anymore. Bella used to love visiting the big city with all its museums and theatres and activities. Her daughter loved to go for the shopping. They would usually make a deal that if they went shopping for … Continue reading Once Was Lost, Now Is Found
Lost and Found
By Karen Court Patricia Barker hugged her bony knees to her chest as she sat on the sidewalk amidst all the rubble. She coughed. A steady rain was still falling and her hair dribbled cold water down her hunched back and shoulders. Oblivious to the rain, Patty sobbed quietly to herself. Rain drops joined her … Continue reading Lost and Found
Thank Hugh, Kate!
By Christina H. Janousek As I was passing Schönbrunn Palace one February morning on my way to work, I was confronted with a sight that I could not help but associate with the most unpalatable period in Austrian history. The one which we owe to a megalomaniac, yet small-minded landscape painter of the second class. … Continue reading Thank Hugh, Kate!
A Thousand Worlds Too Far
By Theodore Alexander Hall Spit flew against the plastic visor as a tear danced upon a slender cheek. The suit stuck firmly in the empty void, a ripple of grey in the endless black. He watched with anticipation as his palm closed, fingers gliding through the heavens. It was an odd sensation, no limit, no … Continue reading A Thousand Worlds Too Far
Self-Certainty
By Earl Smith As it happened, Racoon was resting on a sunny morning in a grassy area next to Brook that Wanders Through the Woods. Her morning foraging had yielded two crawfish, and a particularly nice young eel. She had fastidiously washed, then eaten, each. A satisfying ritual that, at least partially, lightened the burden … Continue reading Self-Certainty
Grave Robbers
By Wolfgang Wright “Why not trees?” the boy asked his father, who was just about to fire up the excavator. “What?” “Why not trees instead of bones?” They had just returned from lunch, where they had sat under a tree for shade, which was where the boy had gotten the idea from. The tree was … Continue reading Grave Robbers
Soft Whispers: Jill & Jake
By Nancy Lou Henderson Jill reached for her cell phone when the alarm began to play softly. While turning the alarm off, she sat in bed, wishing she could finish her dream but knowing it would repeat. For some reason, the dream had come to her every night for a week, stopping at the same … Continue reading Soft Whispers: Jill & Jake
Academy of the Heart And Mind 