Mirror of Conflict

A mirror can reflect the beginning and ending

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…the courthouse, Dale walked down the steps behind Sue. He wanted to say something to her, but he knew Sue did not want to talk to him, plus she was on the arm of another man. Once Dale got into his vehicle and started driving down the road, he felt lost in his hurt, anger, and…

By Nancy Lou Henderson

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Grandma and the Threesome

A grandmother suddenly has to take care of her three grandchildren.

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…daughter showed up one fine summer day at her mother's house in Ashleyville, Ohio. Catherine had not been the model daughter Agatha wanted, but she was her only daughter. Agatha, now seventy and a widow, had not seen Catherine or her grandchildren for…

By Anita G. Gorman

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The Dog Trial

…pushed open the creaking metal gate and went into the builder’s yard. He almost tripped over a pile of bricks as he crossed the cluttered yard. Movement caught his eye. He turned to see an Alsatian dog running straight towards him. He swore and raised his arms in an attempt to protect himself from the impending mauling. He closed his eyes as the beast neared, feeling the hot breath of the…

By Chris Platt

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Repentance

A pastor and a social worker find comfort in each other after the death of a school shooter disrupts their lives.

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…put on his collar in the bathroom and said a few prayers. Outside he saw more and more protesters gathering with signs demanding the funeral be called off. Jack put his coat on and walked outside. He had no idea how the protesters found out about the private…

By Nathan Perrin

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Scott Free

Bertha and Bertram Free try to find an appropriate name for their baby boy.

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…knew that somewhere in the distant past his ancestors had another name, a longer name, a foreign-sounding name. He'd heard of immigrants coming through Ellis Island and having their names shortened and Americanized by the island's personnel. Maybe that was how his family became…

By Anita G. Gorman

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I Can't Save You

A woman mourns the loss of her wife.

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…a girl scout today. Well, I ate 5 boxes of Samoas and 3 boxes of thin mints. There are 3 boxes of thin mints left in the freezer. I showed some restraint. The Samoas were her favorite; perhaps that was why I couldn't stop eating. I couldn't wait for her to wake out of sedation. The truth is I didn't want to…

By Leah Holbrook Sackett

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