Acquaintances
by David Sapp Don’t get me wrong. I am generally content with the inhabitants of my life – those close to me. However, occasionally, I prefer the company of chance … Continue Reading Acquaintances
A Satisfying Failure
by David Sapp Every Thanksgiving morning on the Gambier farm, while the women bustled about the warm kitchen in floured aprons over flowered print dresses, hips bumping at countertops, chairs … Continue Reading A Satisfying Failure
The Marriage in Waiting
by Gregory T. Janetka Damn television sets. Three blaring away and the sun not yet up. Noxious distractions—news that’s not news, fearmongering, adverts for pills for conditions they don’t … Continue Reading The Marriage in Waiting
THE ONLY SIN IS PRIDE
by Salvatore Difalco Every time Alfonsus entered a room an unearthly glowing light suffused it. I wondered if he was religious. He typically wore a cross of gold, indicating either … Continue Reading THE ONLY SIN IS PRIDE
“Lampyridae” and “Lobatus Gigas”
by Robert Helfst Lampyridae Five years ago, your mother burst into a cloud of fireflies and disappeared into the night. Ever since, you’ve tracked the bugs in the backyard, searching … Continue Reading “Lampyridae” and “Lobatus Gigas”
Abandon All Faith Ye Who Enter Here
by Shannon Frost Greenstein “I love you!” My friends laughed as only sixteen year-olds can, but I wasn’t embarrassed. My mother and I were as close as any single parent … Continue Reading Abandon All Faith Ye Who Enter Here
The Imagination Game
by Dave Gregory “Bioluminescence often appears at night,” the youth hostel manager told us. “Microscopic plankton light up the entire beach.” Curious, we walked half an hour in the dark … Continue Reading The Imagination Game
“Who Are You?”
by Eve Lessard A large hand reaches out to a young boy with a tear-streaked face. The boy’s clothes are covered in mud and blood dribbles down his temple. He … Continue Reading “Who Are You?”
Highway Star
by Mark Crimmins My wife was seeing George Shepard in Manhattan, and with the swift calculating power of the math teacher I was, I decided to drive to the Big … Continue Reading Highway Star
Heat
by Don Stoll Father James Thayer was more thrilled than anyone could have known to come back to Massachusetts. He was thrilled in particular by his specific destination: Cravemoor Abbey. … Continue Reading Heat
“Gathering” and “night swim after matrimony”
by Dallas Raquel Klein “Gathering” “night swim after matrimony” for Richard Anderson and Christopher Ryan Shaver on their wedding day fireflies birth night light and I invite the river to … Continue Reading “Gathering” and “night swim after matrimony”
Shipwreck
by Joel Fishbane Let’s play that old game: I’m going to tell you two truths and a lie. One: a while ago, after months of delaying a wedding we didn’t … Continue Reading Shipwreck
Blue
By Anita Kestin This is probably nearing an end I think, as I see the shorter one start to fidget a bit in her office chair. The taller one stares … Continue Reading Blue
Vigil
By Don Noel Harry looked frail when he came home in August. His wan cheeks sagged down his face; his drab gray hair was even thinner; the body Kate helped … Continue Reading Vigil
The Weight
By Joe Ducato The first time it happened, he felt like his bones were breaking one-by-one. He wouldn’t be liberated from the feeling until he was in his 20s. Liberation … Continue Reading The Weight
Reckless
By William Cass When I was a little boy, I lived for a short time with my uncle’s family while my mom, his younger sister, spent a stint in rehab. … Continue Reading Reckless