By Russ Bickerstaff She was trying to look like an insomniac, but she wasn’t doing a terribly good of it. The overall feeling of life beyond the veil of sleep was lost to her, which would have been fine if it weren’t for the fact that it was her job to look convincingly tired. It … Continue reading Loss Through Acquisition
Soap Bubbles
By Michal Reiben Clouds drift on a gentle breeze in an Iris blue sky. Tree’s branches sway in the warm light wind and birds in the trees chatter. An old hag wearing a moth-eaten dress with a face like crumpled paper is sitting on a bench by the side of a playground. She’s enjoying the … Continue reading Soap Bubbles
The Trench Coat
By Nancy Lou Henderson Hanging on a new hook now, but what the existence I have had. My first owner was a man. After purchasing me, for some reason, the man took me to a tailor then instructed the tailor to add a secret pocket in my lining. At different times, strange items hid in … Continue reading The Trench Coat
Moonlight Over the Coconut Field
By George Keyes A PIECE OF LIFE It doesn’t matter how many times I come to Washington, District of Columbia, there’s always a thrill. Its old splendidly designed wide avenues lined with high-reaching trees and exquisite modernized buildings make it the most astonished city in the world. One observer can never forget the superb dome … Continue reading Moonlight Over the Coconut Field
The Dress
By Dawn DeBraal Lana called dibs on the front seat. Her little sister, Abby, pouted and crawled into the back. As they were driving, Abby hummed some silly children's song from a cartoon she watched that morning. As she sang, she kicked the back of the seat. Floor to the back of the seat, down … Continue reading The Dress
The Value of a Sidearm Pitcher
By John Affleck It began when I was sitting alone at the Twins-Mets game. No minder, no driver. I’d sent them off to lunch. He sat down next to me in the stands, and I mean right next to me. He recognizably walked up the stairs and down the row — did not shuffle, did … Continue reading The Value of a Sidearm Pitcher
Catechism Lesson
By John Affleck When Monsignor Sweeney visits our fifth-grade classroom, everybody gets geeked up, even more than when we’re in Sister Madeline’s English class. Usually, we get about 30 minutes notice, like an air raid, before Sweeney shows up. Our homeroom teacher, Sister Noreen, announces the visit in a formal tone — we’re lucky enough … Continue reading Catechism Lesson
Waiting in Line
By Nancy Lou Henderson A long line of people stretched ahead of Jess. The people in front of her seemed not to be moving, but she did not care because her mind was busy remembering her journey to get here. Had she done enough, and was she ready? Should she get out of the line … Continue reading Waiting in Line
The Lost King
By Mehreen Ahmed. Based on an orally told plot by Vahid Husen Sayyad Daisy was held under a dark, mystifying spell. Nestled by the cozy fires of her drawing room, she sat this evening on a rugged floor in her palace. She moped about an incident which occurred in her laboratory last night. She looked … Continue reading The Lost King
Je Suis Un Pied Noir
By Alexandra Baff 1835 I still don’t understand why we had to leave. Why would anyone want to leave the sunny, beautiful, majestic south of France? As we arrive in Algeria, into a city called Oran, I recall my tedious journey by boat. My mother and father constantly reassured me that this would be an … Continue reading Je Suis Un Pied Noir
Academy of the Heart And Mind 