By Thomas Page The tree sort of slumped over. Ornaments scattered all over the ground. On the way down, the tree took out several pictures on the mantle. The ground was covered in broken glass, clay, and porcelain. Their dog, Sparkles, was trying to eat the remains of a surfing Santa. “Well, I’ll get some … Continue reading Academy Classics: O Tannenbaum
Reframing Walter
By Russell Richardson Tom felt true affection for his therapist Walter. Unlike confused parents, expectant girlfriends, and demanding employers, Walter accepted Tom unconditionally. For years, the silver-haired man had nodded sagely while Tom talked on the office’s leather couch. When Tom’s ramblings developed into a meaningful thought, Walter expressed satisfaction; when the babble went nowhere, … Continue reading Reframing Walter
Leaving For Love
By Luke Beling The sea was a candle in his eyes. If he hoped to find what lay underneath it, he'd need to kiss her on the lips and promise to be back one day. Mary considered herself more than obtuse, undebated over like the choice of a holiday in the mountains or at the … Continue reading Leaving For Love
The Basket Weavers
By Steve Carr Mrs. Chattam’s tendency toward exaggerated worries and anxieties led her to view the man outside the cottage on the other side of the pond with a great deal of apprehension. The only things she saw him take out of the back of his car were several fishing poles and a shiny red … Continue reading The Basket Weavers
Conned
By James Dunn Second Lieutenant James Dawson made his way through the Happy Hour crowd at the Charleston Air Force Base Officer’s Club bar and ordered a glass of white wine. After he took a sip his friend and squadron mate, First Lieutenant John Tamkun came up from behind and nudged his arm. “Glad you … Continue reading Conned
The Lane is a River
By Ann Christine Tabaka We were in our mid-forties when we decided to get married. We had both been married before. At that point in our lives, we thought it would be best if we found that perfect house before exchanging our vows. At our age we knew we did not need to buy … Continue reading The Lane is a River
Formal Request
By Allison Futterman For LMF You come to my dorm room holding your pants in your right hand. In your left is an iron, and a jacket is crisply folded and draped over your arm. I realize this is your ROTC dress uniform. You pull out a roll of iron-on fabric tape from your backpack … Continue reading Formal Request
Ms. Violet
By Danae Younge We ran through the dark, the bottoms of our shoes sinking into the sand with every step. Terry was too excited to allow that to slow her down, though, she raced towards the moving beam of light which rotated steadily from the lighthouse like a planet on orbit, illuminating little slivers of … Continue reading Ms. Violet
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 Observation
By John Page I open the door to my house. I call for Christine, my fiancée, to help me put away the groceries. We have been dating for about four years and decided to move in together before the wedding. She is a very funny and quirky person. She likes to ask people a lot … Continue reading The Observation
Academy of the Heart And Mind 