By Alan Herman It was a chilly October afternoon. I had walked from my hotel laden with suitcase and backpack through dark streets and across a highway before being welcomed by the lit, warm and quiet waiting room of the Verona railroad station. Only a few people were waiting for the rare east- or west-bound … Continue reading Her Voice on the Train to Milan
Miracle Stain Remover
By Glen Donaldson Even while in the act of asking, long-suffering Gwendolyn O’Malley felt the tiredness that comes with uttering pointless words. “How hard would it be to put your dirty glass in the dishwasher instead of leaving it on the counter?” Her self-aware-grump husband Art, reclined in the floral-patterned lounge chair not ten feet … Continue reading Miracle Stain Remover
To Have and To Hold
By Brian Peter Fagan The Restoration Room was on the 20th floor of the Mason Building in midtown Manhattan. There was a long waiting list to get into the Restoration Room and the service was very expensive, so it took me a long time to put the fee together and then another six months of … Continue reading To Have and To Hold
He Who Is In A Hurry Always Arrives Late
By Nancy Malcolm "He Who Is In A Hurry Always Arrives Late"Georgian Proverb I was running, clutching my purse, and holding my powder blue Samsonite train case. My dad was saying, “Hurry, Nan! We’re so late! I’m afraid you’ll miss your flight.” We rounded the corner of the parking garage and headed down the stairs. … Continue reading He Who Is In A Hurry Always Arrives Late
Garden Views
By Candi Lavender Reaching for a towel to dry her hands, she noted the towel next to hers. It was haphazard. No, that was the wrong word. It was carelessly hung. Everything he did was careless, except when it was in his domain. Tools were hung precisely on the shed walls and if she returned … Continue reading Garden Views
The Philosophers on the Woods
By John Watts There were two philosophers, one a Christian, the other an Atheist, and they were enjoying a stroll deep in the woodlands of sunny Sussex, in serious discussion about matters which arrested the minds of philosophers, Christians and Atheists. The discourse and the arguments on both sides were the most profound and convincing … Continue reading The Philosophers on the Woods
Train Ride
By L. Burton Brender “Did they ever find it?" "My bag?" “Yeah.” “They haven’t.” “Had your car keys?” “Yes.” “Didn’t think to put those in your pocket before you got on the plane?” “No.” “Sounds kind of stupid, if you ask me.” “Do you often say that to people you’ve known less than an hour?” … Continue reading Train Ride
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
Steven and His Little Red Boat
By Tim Law Once upon a time there was a man named Steven. He had a little red boat that he would launch each night from his own personal jetty and he would sail his boat around the world. “Tell me your stories so that I can then share them,” Steven would say to all … Continue reading Steven and His Little Red Boat
The Shot
By Laura Everly The high school gymnasium was packed wall to wall and yet it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. There was exactly one second left in the girls’ high school basketball regional finals and the Stallions were down 70-68. Freshman Maggie Reynolds was at the foul line. She took the … Continue reading The Shot
Academy of the Heart And Mind 