by Catherine Moscatt “Awkward Encounters of the Worst Kind” I go to the GI with alarming frequency. I stare at the models of intestines next to latex gloves and tissues. … Continue Reading “Awkward Encounters of the Worst Kind”
by Nelly Shulman In the spring, Maxim Makarov’s dog fell ill. At first, Red tried to bark, quickly running along the coast and jumping into a flaky boat. The dog … Continue Reading Makarov Coast
by Catherine Moscatt “Art Bully” The magazine was covered in paint. It was art class after all. He had been pushing, prodding, provoking. So I took the magazine and stuck … Continue Reading “Art Bully”
by James Sullivan September heat endures the classroom’s rotating fan. Sticky warmth travels the room in coiling currents, slicking pupils’ skin against uniforms. They are bored. The teacher’s entreaties blow … Continue Reading “Chisato Moritaka’s Lesson #1”
by Felix Imonti In memory of my wife, Yukiko. She made my writing possible by managing so many of the trivial problems of life. Meeting Joyce just seemed to happen. … Continue Reading “Learning the Hard Way”
by K.P. Taylor It was twilight in Holly Hills, and the streetlights had just come on, followed by a low, rhythmic humming. Disconcerting at first, the sound was gradually lost … Continue Reading The CONN
by Roberto Ontiveros Laina was not the kind of klepto that ever got caught, or rather: I was the only one who noticed the fountain pens behind her ears when … Continue Reading Return Policy
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
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
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
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
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”
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
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
By Stephen Ground Phil was dying. He called Sunday morning, when he knew he’d wake me, catch me sleeping, so I couldn’t lie about doing something else. Said to come … Continue Reading Bodhi
By Coffee and Horror Contest Second Place Winner, Aislinn Forbes It smelled like coffee. Like my mother on late Sunday mornings and college cafes. Like comfort. Which didn’t make any … Continue Reading Burnt