By Erica Macri My grandfather wants fancy tail guppies: three male, two female. I get in the car with Joe, his dutiful son and my father, and before I can blink, he speeds onto the Long Island Expressway. Joe is talking about fish, positing that the females of the species have the fancy tails. I … Continue reading The Fish Store
The Swamp Witch
By Thom Schilling Gray and windy, the last ghosts of winter spit sleet from the mid-March sky. Bored senseless, my best friend Paul and I spent the last hour depositing quarters in an industrial-sized dryer in the only laundromat in town. If you wore heavy leather gloves and braced yourself against the barrel, you could … Continue reading The Swamp Witch
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
Ben Alone
By Detlef Wieck Ben stood in the middle of the floor, looking at the layers of newspaper he had put there to block the cold drafts that were coming up through the cracks between the rough, worn, boards of the floor. Although the majestic cook range was burning with the draft all the way open, … Continue reading Ben Alone
Shelter from the Storm
By Teresa Freeland I hate our SUV. I hate the ugly brown exterior. I hate the glove compartment that won’t stay shut. I hate the aqua blue seats and the muddy beige carpet. And I hate that I have one more whole day of relentless riding in the hated back seat with my repulsive little … Continue reading Shelter from the Storm
Burnt Sienna
By Jim Bates Fall was her favorite season. Smiling and happy she walked woodland trails collecting leaves and weeds and grasses. She enjoyed the feel of nature in her hands she liked to say, especially the colorful leaves. Sometimes she’d take him along, holding his tiny hand gently like she held her collections. He’d follow … Continue reading Burnt Sienna
Closing Time
By Peter Rustin After the recession, the formerly splendid Main Street could only support one jewelry shop—barely. Harry was getting ready to close early as the streetlight shadows grew long under the monochrome winter sky. Emma had already left to pick up the twins from ballet, leaving Harry to finish removing the jewelry and watches … Continue reading Closing Time
All Ears
By Peter F. Crowley “Hello, is Rudy Mucci there?” “Speaking.” “This is Albert Moonstruker. It is a pleasure to talk with you.” “Likewise,” said Rudy, an 83-year-old with paper-white hair. He glanced at the pictures of his triplet grandchildren, now 15, on a refrigerator magnet before opening the door and taking out a jug of … Continue reading All Ears
My Friend, Booger Bill
By Corey Villas Previously published in The San Antonio Review It’s usually a three-hour drive back home from Chapel Hill, but today it feels even longer. Bright rays of morning sun beam through my car door window, the heat warm on my face despite the cold November weather outside. I try to focus on the … Continue reading My Friend, Booger Bill
The Origins of Day and Night
By Mac Lee In the realm of gods, Swain, the youthful and sole offspring of Zeus, harbored a fervent desire: to bring warmth and illumination to the frigid lands below. Earth lay ensconced in perpetual chill, its skies bereft of the sun's radiance, shrouded instead by the dominion of Selene, the frosty moon goddess. Lux, … Continue reading The Origins of Day and Night
Academy of the Heart And Mind 