Fiction - Year IV - Number 27 - August 2019

HOW TO BUILD A BRICK WALKby David Landsperger     It was a beautiful Sunday morning in July and he knew exactly what to do with it. Doing nothing would give him too much time to think,...

THE DAY OF THE FIREby Jeff Bakkensen There’s a special smile when they see you walking a dog. Like, Yep, one of the tribe. Mei’s said pregnant women get it too, earlier than you’d think. But...

THREEby Keith Hoerner To Clara: Regarding Your Critique You shared your writing with me. An extension of friendship, like a handshake. More like the reaching out of hands with the chance to be held – or...

SHOPby ML Paul Like a photo plucked from developer too soon, she appeared underdeveloped to herself as she looked in the mirror of the third floor bathroom.   To correct this problem, she opened her laptop,...

THREE SMALL WORDSby Paul Lamb Three small words. Just three syllables.“Don’t tell Mom.”What brother might say to brother, but less likely from father to son. Words calling for trust and, in the same breath, betrayal.“Don’t...

LECHERYby Alex R. Encomienda Gene and Phillip walked into the tiny, tin-box shaped coffee shop uptown of Ithaca and picked a quiet spot by the window. As they sat down, Gene realized that he had...

SAFETYBy Victoria Harris Keep your distance from her. That’s what has always kept you safe. Sane. Next time she tries to draw you into a conversation about yourself, steer it elsewhere. And don’t have so...

NOT QUITE SO BLINDBy Thomas Heine I have never experienced the sensation of sight, but I know a lot about it.  I have an understanding of words such as bright, shades, black and white and...

GHOSTSby David Rogers When the ghosts started to appear, I knew it was only a matter of time til Stephen would show up. Again.#“Laura, you’re out of uniform,” Jimmy Neutron said. Like Joe’s Mexican Restaurant...

THE YOUNG WARIORSby Steve Slavin 1The day before I left for basic training, I sat in Katz’s, a massive family style delicatessen on the Lower Eastside. Widely known for its delicious pastrami, corned beef, and...