By Ashok Shenolikar “What’s your name?” I asked the taxi driver after my wife Bharati and I settled in the backseat. “Erjan,” he said. “You want to visit the Hagia Sophia?” he asked. When we agreed he said there would be a two-hour minimum charge. We thought that was reasonable. And we didn’t have any … Continue reading Ercan
The Whip and the Open Hand
By Calla Gold Diary – Monday July 28th 2012 Tallulah Doyle almost fourteen Yesterday Dave said, “A kind heart is better than a heavy hand in dealing with horses.” That’s good, because I got nothing on in the strength department these days. *** Dave’s brows rose above squinting eyes when Tallie greeted him. The spinning … Continue reading The Whip and the Open Hand
The Path
By Jeffrey Campbell Brian Carraway stared at the gas pump’s display as the numbers surged higher. He patted his left front pants pocket to make sure his checkbook was still there. He’d hoped he wasn’t going to need to travel anytime soon, but things had changed. He looked up at the sky. It was still … Continue reading The Path
Deer Heart
By Phyllis Bordo The sky was turning from pink and gold to evening’s hazy dusk and shadows crossed our path in front of the car as it snaked its way along the country road. We neared the top of a hill, and as if appearing by magic, they were everywhere! “Look out! Slow down. … Continue reading Deer Heart
The Door
By Cecilia Valetti Steve walked along the long corridor that led to Father Brian's parlor. He knew every corner, every floor tile of that corridor. How many times he had gone to talk to Brian while he was living in that orphanage. And then, when he had gone to the police academy, how many times … Continue reading The Door
The Shadchan
By William Hogg It was a day at the end of summer but for Wilmington, North Carolina, a gift. Almost noon and the temperature was not yet seventy. Alan was sitting on a concrete bench, breathing slowly, relaxed, and at peace. He glanced over at his nine-year-old grandson, Tommy, who was sitting at the other … Continue reading The Shadchan
Father’s Silence and Mama’s Lemonade
By Georgia May Father takes me out on the fishing boat every year, for one weekend in June. I don’t know why father does this. He doesn’t speak to me the entire time. Or any other time. He is usually away. Far, far away, on business, and comes home ghost-like, scurrying off to the study … Continue reading Father’s Silence and Mama’s Lemonade
The Swimmers of Cape Fourwind
By Anna Treffer It wasn’t swimming weather. Thick clouds, like stained pumice, thrust the day into premature twilight. The strengthening wind hinted at a storm, throwing salty spray onto the car that pulled up across from Cape Fourwinds. As the engine cut off the pair inside made no move to get out. More salt threw … Continue reading The Swimmers of Cape Fourwind
The Hadley House
By C.J. Spulak The brown, bare trees swayed slowly in the October wind. In the waning afternoon sunlight, Jessa Fromm squinted through the spots of caked dust and bug guts on the dirty window and gazed out on a yard full of dying weeds and yellowing grass. She sprayed some Windex on the dirty glass … Continue reading The Hadley House
End of the Line
By Mario Marcinko Originally published in CafeLit Magazine Following yet another failed night of forced unrest, I leave the comforts of my sheets, ready or not to face the day. The greyness of life begins its attack on my sensations before I open the window upon skies curtained with leaden clouds and streaked streams of … Continue reading End of the Line
Academy of the Heart And Mind 