By Dawn DeBraal When Tonya met Todd, she knew she had a good one. Todd was funny, respectful, polite, and attentive. They had been dating for almost a year. Tonya felt he might be Mr. Right. Whenever she started to question her decision, Todd showed up to reinforce his good qualities. How could she doubt … Continue reading Phobia
It Was A Case Of All Or Nothing
By Tavinder New Latest Press: Jewels stolen from Bank of Scarlett by notorious thieves Peter and Pritchard. They are dangerous, clever and not to be trusted! The brown leather case was beside my foot and inside the jewels worth tens of millions of pounds lying there beside me, my rendezvous was to meet … Continue reading It Was A Case Of All Or Nothing
Swant’s Service
By Jim Bates "Well, thanks for meeting with me. It was good talking to you." The realtor took out a business card and gave it to Charlie Swant who glanced at it, already having forgotten the guy's name. Then he aggressively extended his hand and Charlie reluctantly shook it, "Well...Okay then," Charlie said, not knowing … Continue reading Swant’s Service
The AI Comes
By John David Hanna It had been several weeks since Philip Chambers, his friends called him Frenchy for unremembered reasons, fixated on the same dream. In the dream, some ambiguous character met him outside of his high school. The twenty-something-year-old was dressed … Continue reading The AI Comes
Unlikely Swan
By Rosanne Trost Maisie walked into the ballet academy, ungracefully plopped herself down on the bench, removing her pink shoes, white orthotics and pink socks. Smelling her socks, she laughingly said, “Oooh, stinky.” She raised her shirt, black with “Ballet Academy” printed in white letters. She struggled to pull the top over her head, refusing … Continue reading Unlikely Swan
Change of Heart
By Dianne Moritz Melissa closed the card, letter inside, and placed the envelope on her mantle. Sunshine filtered through the windows, bathing her in its radiant warmth. She thought of Mark and wondered if she could ever forgive him, trust him again. “Don’t go there!” she thought, then grabbed her wallet and headed out … Continue reading Change of Heart
The Old Apple Tree
By Tavinder New Gabriel Borin tore and battered his way through the tall vines obscuring the view that lay ahead, as they wounded his skin leaving signs of his blood onto their branches andthe floor. They were like protectors an army of the The Old Apple Tree, that many before had failed to release … Continue reading The Old Apple Tree
RETIREMENT AND THE REALIZATION THAT I’M GETTING OLD
By Jeffrey Zable So I’m coming out of Trader Joe’s in Daly City when two men approach me with surprised expressions. One of them says, “Mr. Zable. . . it’s great to see you!” Looking at both of them, I have no idea who they are, but am curious to find out. When … Continue reading RETIREMENT AND THE REALIZATION THAT I’M GETTING OLD
Retelling the Story of Yasodharā
By Indunil Madhusankha (Previously published in the 2016 October issue of the Sentinel Literary Quarterly) In the nightly cold of the Esala full moon day, perhaps she felt an abrupt rush of the bizarre wind in her usual entanglements – the cozy and pacifying dreams as He looked at her on the sly, … Continue reading Retelling the Story of Yasodharā
High School Contest First Place Winner Fiction: “The Man”
by Alexander Choi The dilapidated road had a myriad of cracks in its asphalt as I cruised along the pavement. The blazing sun illuminated the land with rays penetrating through my windshield, hindering my vision of the road. I could faintly hear the wind whispering in my ear when I took a glimpse of the … Continue reading High School Contest First Place Winner Fiction: “The Man”
Academy of the Heart And Mind 