By Zenstateofmind Jewel despised the free lunch. She’d rather starve than beg for cakes. It took her aging nights and sweating feet, to own a bakery. She was told plenty of times “you’re too ambitious for a woman.” And her answer always remains “I can’t live in the shells and shadows some women I know, live … Continue reading The Baker
The Birds and the Bees
By Dan Brook Bob technically lived alone, but that was not at all how he felt about it. Besides Bob’s two pet rabbits, whom he called Donald and Watson, Bob had a thriving garden in his backyard in Sequim — which rhymes with Swim — a little blue hole of sunny Mediterranean microclimate in Washington … Continue reading The Birds and the Bees
The Barbeque with Obama and Justin
By Leslie Knibbs Ottawa, Canada. November 22, 2019 I don't usually barbeque at this time of the year...it's been below thirty for the last ten days in a row and the winds are coming out of the northeast slamming into the house at 60 km an hour. It's cold outside. And kind of drafty in the house. … Continue reading The Barbeque with Obama and Justin
Desert Wind
By Jim Bates Dave was grateful for the final emotional push as he clamored up and over the edge of Lizard Peak onto the top, a large flat area. "Thanks, man," he said to Lyle, his life companion for the last forty years. He was nearly out of breath."I needed that." Lyle was also his … Continue reading Desert Wind
The Forbidden Home of the Ancestors
By Marzia Rahman Of all the people in the world, I least expected my brother to knock at my door. That too in the early hours of dawn. Why do I like dawn so much? I often ask myself. Is it because of the serenity? Or the quietness? The world has yet to wake up; … Continue reading The Forbidden Home of the Ancestors
Academy Classics: Thrice
By Thomas Page Everybody in town knew about the murders. You couldn’t walk down Washington Street without someone tapping you on the shoulder to confirm what they already knew. The Harrisons had lived in this little ordinary house on top of Rodham Hill about fifteen long steps away from their neighbors—the Tiffanys. Dan Tiffany was … Continue reading Academy Classics: Thrice
The Mirror
By John Page You wake up. You're thirsty and need to go to the bathroom. You get up to go to the bathroom. You remember that you had an upsetting dream but not the details. You reach the bathroom door and suddenly feel afraid. You can’t explain it so you ignore it. You open the … Continue reading The Mirror
Snake-Cell Dreams
By Sandeep Kumar Mishra In his dreams, Rajan searches for the ghosts. He hunts for them, tracing their footsteps in the dirt. He is back in his hometown— he knows these roads. The moonlight shivers on his skin. The crooked streets rattle around him. His heart burns in his chest. Baba, mama. Where are you? … Continue reading Snake-Cell Dreams
The Emperor of 2nd Street
By Leo Hines 7:45 a.m. on Key South-Bay island meant tourists buses, motor-scooters and bikers were hogging the highways. The harbor was a ball of confusion with anxious tour groups meandering to their rental boats. Long crooked lines were at the Amusement park.The snow birds had arrived. Smiley Lehman, age 18, needed to hustle with … Continue reading The Emperor of 2nd Street
Imagine It
By Ciaran J. McLarnon The visits were moments of when Simon was given a precious glimpse of his future. From behind the shelves of tinned fruit and meat, the sacks of flour and rice, he watched the man enter his family’s grocery. Simon saw him as the man he wanted to be; his bowler hat, … Continue reading Imagine It
Academy of the Heart And Mind 