By Ann Christine Tabaka Madalyn did not like having to be alone with her step-mother all the time. She was irked with her father for having to travel far away from home for work so often. Her step-mother was not mean or cruel like the evil step-mother in the stories that she read, like Cinderella. … Continue reading The Step-Mother
A Tall Tower to Sleep In
By W. T. Paterson Jeremy felt like an out-of-place monster sitting in the line of cars to pick up his twelve-year-old daughter Emilia from an all-women’s coding camp. Tech giant ByteSyze hosted an eight-week summer program for young women interested in STEM careers, the final week of which happened to coincide with the one-year anniversary … Continue reading A Tall Tower to Sleep In
Tomiko Takes the Train
By Steve Carr Tomiko’s joints ached, especially her knees. She gingerly raised the hem of her kimono and stared at them for several moments as if seeing them for the first time. Nothing seemed to ever make them feel better for very long. Acupuncture, hot baths, daily swims, herbal teas, massage, the small white pills … Continue reading Tomiko Takes the Train
The Nuptial Dance in Xs and Ys
By Michael De Rosa Melete and I were in the same college math class. I would see her three times a week at 9 AM. Coming in early but not crowding around the prof's desk as the other early birds, I would always sit in the same place. Melete, with her auburn hair and a … Continue reading The Nuptial Dance in Xs and Ys
Paths Not Taken
By Cathy Beaudoin You wouldn’t know it, but Nadine walked just fast enough to miss the little details in life. Today, like most other days, she walked in the early morning. Skippy, her white, shaggy-haired mutt, trotted alongside her. He panted heavily, not from being overweight, but because Nadine hustled to get in her five … Continue reading Paths Not Taken
Colonel Bauer’s Choice
By Lucas Zhou Fresh from the military academy, Colonel Bauer was a quiet young man whose bright, seafoam- green eyes captured the hearts of the high society ladies of Vienna. In normal times he spoke with a soft voice. When a flustered young servant ran into the parlor waving a telegram from Linz in his … Continue reading Colonel Bauer’s Choice
From the Water
By AJ Lyndon It was not enough that they had enslaved us. It was not enough that we toiled for them night and day. It was not enough that our men came home exhausted, shaking, sweating, their bodies torn, if they came home at all. It was not enough to keep us at death’s threshold. … Continue reading From the Water
Summer Contest Fiction Winner: “A Most Unforgettable Experience”
By Felicita Robinson When Martha invited me to spend the summer vacation with her, I was overjoyed. This was my first trip to the country part of Jamaica. Being a city girl, I was delighted that I was going to actually spend the entire summer away from the city. However, I didn’t bargain for what … Continue reading Summer Contest Fiction Winner: “A Most Unforgettable Experience”
Vanadium
By Jim Bates I always wanted to be an airline pilot. My dad was one. My grandfather, too. The fact that both were killed in airplane crashes did not deter my enthusiasm. "I don’t get it, Jerry,” Mom wondered out loud when I was ten years old and told her of my dream. “Why would … Continue reading Vanadium
She Smiled
By Nancy Machlis Rechtman Her heart pounded against the walls of her chest, echoing throughout her body. Her head was filled with the staccato of snare drums. Clara looked down at her hands. Her hands - the one gift that couldn’t be taken away from her. Her hands - the hands that were about to … Continue reading She Smiled
Academy of the Heart And Mind 