The OWNER and the Bird

by Sarah Zimmer

This is a Different Night

by Sandy Steinman

One day when THE OWNER yelled at her, the bird was no longer able to shut down and hide her emotions. She just wanted to be loved. The bird began to cry. During the many hours of her crying THE OWNER tried to justify his behavior by explaining that he was an egalitarian pet owner and he didn't do anything.

On this Passover, Sarah was, as she had been since her husband's death several years ago, a self-appointed critical observer at her daughter's house. Unwilling to participate arms folded across her chest, gloomy, watching, she made occasional bitter, sarcastic comments. "I see you're still dressing like the farmer's wife, Ellen. And why didn't you get your hair done?"

Saint E

by Jackie Ashton

An American Mission

by Cate Meredith

"Do go and put your uniform on, your nightgown is not appropriate attire for school. And remember to wash up first." Sarah bounded up the long staircase that led to the lavatory and dormitory rooms upstairs, weaving her way between the throng of girls descending the stairs for morning classes. "I'll miss you, Sister!" she called back exuberantly.

I had envisioned fucking many handsome Doctors Without Borders, which is how I ended up in Bosnia at 2 AM delivering Tampax and lipstick to the Red Cross delivery trucks on a burned out field on Christmas morning.