October 2010

Thoughts from the Editor
~ Kate Lydon

Stories

Getting to Heaven
~ Jackie Kearins

Now, death was not a totally foreign concept to me. After all, I was five years old; count the fingers, one whole hand- years old. I’d found goldfish floating in smelly water bowls and turtles that would either be belly up in their dishes or would disappear somewhere in the house when I let them out for a “walk.” I knew that my pets would not return, but Leigh Ann’s mother was not a pet, she was, a person, a mother for goodness sake- and who would take care of all the kids and bring in the wash and make supper for them now?

Chocolate for My Father
~ Patricia Zita Krisch

   "Do you have some candy?"

   "No, Dad, I'm afraid you can't have candy anymore."

   "Oh, yes, I can have candy."

   "I don't think so. You are having so much trouble swallowing."

   "Oh, I can have candy."

   This went back and forth for a while, until I finally laughed and said, "Well, if you could have candy, what kind would you want?"

   "Chocolate, of course! You always bring me chocolate."

The Knight of the Living Dead
~ Patrick Carmody

Our oldest, Samantha, 13, immediately turned up her iPod. Jack, the youngest at age 8, also wasn’t paying attention; he was too busy decapitating his Action figures. Our middle son Brian, however, started to hyperventilate. He is a history nut. Last summer my wife sent him to “history camp”, where you recreate historical events, often in costume. (My wife is determined to get Brian beaten to a pulp at school).

Papa and the Gentlemen Callers
~ Kate Lydon

"Well, what was he like, Pat?" she asked, turning to Papa. But before Papa could respond, Eva gasped. "Just look at you, Pat! Why did you wear those ratty old pants? And the jacket with the hole in it, Pat!" She turned to me. "I keep telling him he has to get rid of that jacket, but he just won't do it!"

       "Hmphh!" Papa said.

       "How could you, Pat! Dressing like that and embarrassing your granddaughter in front of her friend!"

       Papa's voice rose to the occasion. "I don't see why I have to get dressed up to meet some young fool!"

Poetry

Joan G. Anderson:
     Breakfast with Billy Collins

Lynn Ciesielski:
     The Bride Wore Sneakers

Barbara Fryrear: 2 Poems
     Tel Tales, The Pack Rat
     The End

Joe Quinton: 5 Poems
     OCTOBER
     [untitled]
     THE VILLAGE
     YOU ASKED - HOW OLD?
     BAYBERRIES

Contents:

October 2010