By Nancy Machlis Rechtman Zoe parked near the back door of the thrift shop. The key felt like a burning coal against her chest, but she had made a promise. Her roommate Jenna had left it for her, pleading with her to run over to the store and grab the bag she had left in … Continue reading Pink Skates and Flashing Signs
The Waves
By Jill Jepson Sunday mornings without fail, my parents packed us into the car and drove us to mass. Sacred Heart Church was just three blocks from our house, but still we drove, to make sure we arrived fresh and perfect, we girls in our prettiest dresses, little hats, short white gloves, and Sunday shoes—white … Continue reading The Waves
The Faraway Hill
By Betsy Selvam Wildflowers and weeds grow in abundance here. They are brightly redolent of evenings that I spent roaming outside home barefoot, content by myself, plucking leaves and flower buds; bunching them into finger-sized bouquets. Lantana shrubs pepper the landscape around me. Their tiny clusters of pink and orange flowers add an undertone of … Continue reading The Faraway Hill
Mashed Potato
By Henry Tydeman The other children had already finished their tea and left the table. Michael sat with his short legs hanging over the edge of the chair, eating quietly, whilst his mother was leaning against the wall and speaking to her friend. Michael was concentrating on his mashed potato, and only heard snippets of … Continue reading Mashed Potato
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
Another Fish Story
By Mitchell Waldman A thunderstorm woke me last night. The storm was right on top of us. It sounded like the house was inside this huge kettle drum and each time, moments before the boom, the whole sky lit up like ten million flash bulbs all set off at once. I was terrified. I don’t … Continue reading Another Fish Story
Magic
By Cheryl L. Caesar When I was seven my dolls still talked and moved, even the unfortunate one I’d molded out of clay, who looked like Alice the Goon. Having no armature, she couldn’t stand. She sat splay-legged, as though in an eternal game of jacks. When I was seven, the April issue of Jack … Continue reading Magic
“Angel”
By Joan McNerney I want to make an angel in the snow though I am old for that sort of thing. That is something I have never done. A woman from Vermont told me about it. Nobody made slush angels in Brooklyn…unheard of… with no meadows to angel in. We just threw hard packed snowballs … Continue reading “Angel”
Academy of the Heart And Mind 