By Ruby Pressman Tonight we said our goodbyes. I started crying and he started laughing. "Why are you laughing?" I asked him."Because I don't want to cry." *** We met on New Year's Eve. It was a foggy rainy day and I was feeling kind of down -- had gone to a local restaurant near … Continue reading Ivan and the Umbrella
Lucky Dog, Unlucky Dog
By Debbie Robertson Lucky Dog lived on a boulevard lined with ancient oaks that spread their wide branches to shade the walk where children played. Birds sang their songs and squirrels chattered merrily as they scrambled up trunks and made flying leaps from tree to tree. Unlucky Dog lived near a busy street in the … Continue reading Lucky Dog, Unlucky Dog
Hums of the Breeze
By Tristan Duenow Bright sun rays pierced the black of my suit. Little beads of sweat dotted my brow and a damp undershirt stuck to my back. The white fluffy clouds occasionally blessed us with shade as they moved in the gentle breeze. It was a day he would have liked very much. Mom stood … Continue reading Hums of the Breeze
I Wasn’t Drunk
By Jennifer Leigh Kiefer I wasn’t drunk. That’s the truth. I never am though, so I knew you wouldn’t realize I was faking. The half a bottle I had slowly sipped was just an excuse. Something I could blame – we both could blame. As I wandered away from the group huddled on the large … Continue reading I Wasn’t Drunk
Is She Paying Rent?
By Thomas Payne Birgit was arriving on the 8:32 flight from Chicago. Nathan had asked Jon to drive him to DIA, and asked if they could pick up Heather on the way to make it less date-like. I-25 was clear and Jon was trying to keep it under 85. Nathan lit him a cigarette. “She’s … Continue reading Is She Paying Rent?
Wabi-Sabi
By Timothy Resau Previously published in The Sparrow's Trombone on November 22, 2021 I am alone. I’m in a most unique hotel room. It’s very modern and sparsely furnished. I believe it’s a hotel room. I assume it’s a room. I assume it’s a hotel. It’s fun to assume. I’m watching a TV program. I … Continue reading Wabi-Sabi
Bliss Street
By Cerys Harrison I was nearly thirty. That is to say, I was twenty-nine. I was growing lonely more and more. Many of my friends had given up their dreams of becoming professional actors. Collectively, we lost our enthusiasm, our optimism. A few of us had gotten small parts here and there over the years. … Continue reading Bliss Street
South Carolina Blues, and Greens
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
Academy of the Heart And Mind 