By Lewis Brett Smiler Whenever Jen sang at the nursing home, her boyfriend Ramon would forget himself and start singing along. But when Jen looked at him from the piano, he would stop immediately. His off-key voice was very distracting. Yet, seeing her dad’s old coworker Mr. Spinelli was far more unsettling. He used to … Continue reading Brave Ramon
Making a Difference
By Lewis Brett Smiler Mr. Erdofi could not recall how many millions he had donated over the past twenty years. However, there was no place where his philanthropy was more evident than his hometown. He had been honored numerous times for his local contributions, but not everyone was impressed. Wayne Thompson, an old high school … Continue reading Making a Difference
The Gravestone
By Lewis Brett Smiler Dan could not believe how much clutter his Aunt Sarah had left behind. She was such a hoarder. The number of books she had collected was probably more than the local library. Dan wondered how many of these books were still in print. Would he be able to sell them for … Continue reading The Gravestone
A Black Belt in Action
By Lewis Brett Smiler The tournament was more than a month away, but Mrs. Holland could not help feeling excited. Her grandson Gary would be competing for the first time as a black belt. The fifteen-year-old was determined to win the top prize in sparring, but his opponents would be tougher than before. He would … Continue reading A Black Belt in Action
Ryan’s Magic
By Lewis Brett Smiler Previously Published in Scarlet Leaf Review on February 10, 2019 At ten years old, Ryan Thorpe was a master of illusion. With fast hands and a contagious smile, the budding magician could easily amaze anyone. The magic act had given Ryan a new identity, a way to connect with people. His … Continue reading Ryan’s Magic
The Debt
By Lewis Brett Smiler Chris Doyle knew soccer tryouts would be the most brutal week of his life, but he was prepared. He had wanted to play varsity soccer more than anything else and spent the whole summer training for this moment. Whatever the coaches demanded, Chris would do. He would perform an infinite number … Continue reading The Debt
Academy of the Heart And Mind 