Contributor: Jheri Brown - - The chill of the night was evident with each breath. Her dark eyes shifted back and forth, nervously -- frantically, even. She sat watching, waiting. The bile in her throat felt like it was burning a hole through her esophagus. Her stomach churned and knotted under the pressure of her nerves. Jacob slid out of his vehicle and, as most people do, shoved his keys and phone into his pockets. There was no real reason for him to leave his phone out anyway. He was exactly where he intended on being. He’d made a ritual of it. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening, he would call Elyssa and tell her of the busyness at the office and tell her not to worry about fixing him a dinner plate. And every time he did, her heart would almost curl in on itself with each beat and her breath would catch, seized right...

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Author: Jheri Brown

Contributor: Dave Riese - - A man in the gay fathers’ group is obsessed with Sully. “What man?” I ask. “Harold. You don’t know him.” Apparently Harold joined the group after I stopped going. I don’t recognize the name. He’s in his fifties and came out when he divorced his wife. Sully, in his late twenties, thinks fifty is old. At least I have three years to go. “He sits next to me at every meeting. Touches me whenever he has the chance. He’s not obnoxious about it. Barely brushes against me, little pats on my knee. And everything I say is the most interesting thing he’s ever heard.” Sounds like my ex-lover Karl at his smarmiest, I think. “And he kept asking me to come for dinner—” Obviously Harold recognizes a weakness when he sees one. Sully enjoys eating more than anything else. Even sex, I sometimes think. Just ask his waistline....

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Author: Dave Riese

Contributor: Donal Mahoney - - It's a disgusting thing but Paddy Gilhooley, who knew better as a child, had begun farting in church very early in life. He started in grammar school, many decades ago, long before the nuns selected him in fourth grade to be an altar boy to serve Mass. The Mass was then said in Latin with the altar boys' responses also said in Latin. The nuns picked Paddy because he was tall and was able to memorize things rapidly. By training him in fourth grade, the nuns believed Paddy would be able to serve Mass for the next four years till he graduated from grammar school. Paddy was less than thrilled to be singled out for this honor. He had nothing against God or the Mass but he knew that fourth-grade altar boys were always assigned to serve the Mass at 6:30 a.m., way too early in the day for Paddy. Being selected...

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Author: Donal Mahoney

Contributor: Jennifer McBroom - - Elsa leaps and lets out a peep of a squeal only loud enough to share with herself as she exits the Department of Public Safety, a shiny piece of colorful plastic in hand. She skips to the pale blue coupe that awaits her, engine still running, ready to go for a ride. Elsa drops into the driver’s seat and soaks in the moment, reading aloud the words along the top of the card, “Texas Driver License.” Sixteen today, the green-eyed, curly- headed brunette glances over to the passenger seat and shoots a look at her burly, broad- shouldered jock of an older brother sporting a grin from ear to ear. Elsa knows that look. She knows it means he is up to no good. “I know what you’re thinking Leo! It’s not gonna happen! No way, no how!” “Just this one time Elsa......please? We don’t have to tell mom. Come on, it’s...

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Author: Jennifer McBroom

Contributor: Jeff Hill - - This morning: You woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Your alarm doesn't go off for another ten minutes. But your father called. Upset. And now you're up. Why don't you tell him to shove it? Why don't you just take a sick day? Perhaps tomorrow I'll build up the courage to tell you it gets better. Work really drains you today. But you still look radiant. You try your best to make others happy, yet never make time for yourself. Why don't you leave that dreadful job? Why don't you believe in yourself the way I do? Perhaps tomorrow I'll build up the courage to give you that much-deserved pep talk. Later tonight: You make it seem so easy. Talking to guy after guy. Just to hurt me. It's like you're a different person. Completely. Why don't you act like this at work? Why don't you act like...

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Author: Jeff Hill

Contributor: Reese Scott - - He was surprised by the people that came to his funeral. It didn't make sense to him. He hadn’t spoken to anyone in some time and here they were. Since he had been dead, Jimmy had not been depressed or feeling the familiar wave of fear running through his body. In fact, since he had been dead, he was finally sleeping again. He finally realized that his inability to sleep was part of the reason he was so depressed. One of the pluses of being dead. At the same time, he still had a sharp pain somewhere in his body. The pain would change into another form of pain, until it would finally disappear into a nice, quiet, peaceful feeling. Jimmy looked around the church. He was surprised that he didn’t feel uncomfortable. He had never liked churches. Jimmy walked outside for a cigarette. It was nice now that he...

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Author: Reese Scott

Contributor: Amanda Rae - - They laughed and reached across the beds to touch fingers. Noah smiled warmly at Robbie which sent him into a fit of giggles. "Can you believe that couples use to sleep in different beds?" asked Noah. "No, I can't. It's super weird. My father told me that his grandparent's grandparents slept in different rooms. I couldn't imagine not waking up to you every morning." said Robbie. They both swung their legs over the side of the bed and met in the middle for a kiss. They had traveled a long way to stay at an old hotel that had recently been restored. It was very costly but with Robbie and Noah inviting another couple along Robbie could cover their half of the cost. The other couple was outside sitting at a patio table and chatting happily. "I am glad that we came here, however. I had to sell my soul to get us...

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Author: Amanda Rae

Contributor: Jackson Brock - - A ‘67 Ford Galaxie 500, that was my very first car. I still remember the day I got it. Our family wasn’t poor, but we weren’t wealthy either. Dad worked two jobs, being both a mechanic and an after hours janitor at the high school so I didn’t get to spend much time with him. One day I came home though, and Mom and Dad met me at the door, smiles on their faces. Dad was standing tall and proud, shoulders back, chest out, he looked like a super hero. Mom was beaming; she was so bright I am pretty sure the sun was jealous. They took me inside and sat me down; they told me that Dad had gotten a promotion. He was going to be the head mechanic and practically run the garage from now on. He could quit his job as a janitor and spend more time with us. I was so excited I didn’t see Dad get his car keys from his...

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Author: Jackson Brock

Contributor: John Laneri - - Laura and I are in bed, listening to the sounds of classical music. We’ve made love once this morning, the intensity almost magical. Ordinarily on a Wednesday, I would be at the country club working through a bucket of balls, enjoying the out of doors while I prepare for my afternoon round of golf. After meeting Laura, I stopped playing golf. It was a difficult decision at first, probably one of the hardest choices I've ever made. But, I soon realized that being with her brought the joy of intimacy back into my life. She rolls close to me, her leg touching mine. “I love the way you indulge me.” “Only because you're so amazing,” I reply smiling. “That's one of the reasons I love you.” She laughs softly and settles her head into the pillow, her eyes turning to mine.” Did your wife like to be indulged?” “Overly-indulged,”...

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Author: John Laneri

Contributor: Donal Mahoney - - He's out there again, my neighbor, the doctor, waiting for the snow plow to pass so he can jog on a clean street. It's 5 a.m. and we've had three inches of snow and it's still coming down but nothing can stop him. Doc jogs every morning, good weather or bad. This morning we meet because I'm out spelunking in the snow and the dark for my morning paper. Going through his warm-ups, he invites me once again to join him for a jog, an invitation he extends when we meet on dark mornings. As I have told him before, I tell him once again that I'll arrive soon enough in Cadaverville and have no desire to get there faster. Months ago, I told him about articles in the paper, three or four times a year, indicating that another otherwise healthy man had dropped dead while jogging. I tell him that's not a good...

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Author: Donal Mahoney

Contributor: Taran Washington - - I walk around my apartment, trying to do anything to keep my body from sleeping. I haven’t slept for three consecutive days, and if I was about to doze off I would force myself to remain awake. The exhaustion is worth it though, anything physical is better in comparison to what lies in my mind. Night terrors have haunted me since I was a child, years of therapy and various medicines had helped keep them at bay. Something changed though, the therapy stopped soothing, the medicine stopped having its effect. The doctors told me that my body had adapted to the drug and they would look for a substitute. That was six days ago, and the terrors were back to an unbearable level, making me wake up thrashing and screaming, drenched in cold sweat. Dreams always start out normal, say I would be flying, the next...

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Author: Taran Washington

Contributor: Robert Bates - - I've waited my whole life for this. It's the state championship game and we are down by one point. I dribble past the midcourt line while the crowd is counting down the seconds. “Five! Four!" Sweat drips in my eye but I can still see Devon open and waving for the pass. He's supposed to take the last shot, but he doesn’t understand. This is my moment. I can already see that championship ring on my finger. "Three! Two!" This is it. I jab step and drive, successfully getting around the defender. With a victorious smirk on my face, I jump in the air, raise my elbow, and release at the top of my jump just like coach taught me. The ball begins its perfect arc towards the rim and I can feel the whole gym watching me in my moment of glory. I miss. - - - Robert Bates is currently studying General Business...

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Author: Robert Bates

Contributor: Mel S. - - “I just don’t understand, Bill. Why can’t I come with you?” “Ellie, please understand. You can’t ask me any more questions. I’m only authorized to tell you that the President has requested a team to investigate certain Communist threats and I’ve been chosen as part of that team. I have to move to Sacramento today. Alone.” Ellie swirled the last of her scotch and soda, listening to the tinkling of ice against the glass, and demurely crossed her legs. She risked a furtive glance into his eyes to determine if there was another reason for him to abandon her. She only saw concern and sadness in his baby blues. She selfishly wanted him to tell her everything, to defy his superiors and take her with him. Or at least tell her what he was getting himself into and why she couldn’t help. She had the distinct feeling that...

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Author: Mel S.

Contributor: Maggie Giles - - That heart shaped lock hangs on my door, reminding me of better times. It makes me think of you. The heart shaped lock hangs on my door, whispering forgotten memories. Accusing, pleading, crying, begging. That heart shaped lock upon my door. The key is long lost; it went missing almost five years back, but it didn’t matter then. I didn’t want to remove it. I still remember the day your strong hands took my small ones and held them tightly while we closed the lock together. “A symbol of our love,” you swore. “We will never be apart.” My eyes fluttered shut as you kissed me. Your lips were always warm and soft. I never knew how your touch could always be so perfect. But it was. That heart shape lock still hangs on my door. Whispering, haunting, mourning. The day you left, my heart went cold, hard and metal...

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Author: Maggie Giles

Contributor: Joshua L Hawkins - - “Come on, come on.” Eli said and twisted the key in the ignition again. The engine of the old car sputtered and died like a sneeze cut off in the throat. A soft cloud of steam rose from the hood of the car in the frigid night. “You have got to be kidding me.” Julia said from the passenger seat. She pulled her large coat tighter around herself to try to keep warm. “I swear, every single time I think I have this thing fixed it goes and screws up again.” Eli said and slammed the heel of his hand into the outer edge of the steering wheel. “So, what do we do now? Julia asked. She pulled a cigarette from her purse and lit it. Eli gave her a stare from across the car. “Smoking? Seriously Jules?” “Yes seriously you moron. It’s midnight, and I’m stuck in the freezing cold because my boyfriend’s piece of shit...

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Author: Joshua L Hawkins