Mysteries of the Universe

At the movies

She was a ‘bit of everything and a lot of noise’ her mom used to say but you could feel that all Alice wanted to be, was grown. By Lucie Pagé

Swimming like the Centre of the Flames

Preparing food for a loved one

It would have been simpler if once Allison came out to them, her mother had disowned her, sat shiva like my Orthodox parents were advised by to do but didn’t. Instead, her mother hugged her, then scrutinized her closely and never brought it up again. By Danila Botha

Charles

Man sending text message and sms with smartphone. Guy texting and using mobile phone late at night in dark. Communication or sexting concept. Finger typing with cellphone keyboard.

Charles wants one final, anonymous hookup before reconciling with his boyfriend but his date has other plans.

Adventures of a Young Virgin

Hippie girl

A 15-year-old teenager in the 60s yearns for true love like the one shared by Heathcliff and Catherine in Wuthering Heights. By Mara Thygeson.

Dr. God Awful

obese fat boy measuring tape of stomach isolated on black background, healthy and lose weight

Dr. Richardson winced at the sight of Jerry’s feet. Was it his imagination, or had they gotten puffier, leaving large, damp footprints by the deck chair where Jerry sat alone in flamingo-patterned swim trunks, sipping a giant pink Slurpee? By Diane Bracuk

The Last Word

Stars and material falls into a black hole

My name is Troy, my last name doesn’t matter, believe me. It’s going poof like everything else. Ask me if I give a flying whatever. By Gary Duehr

Ask the Rust

Homeless man drug and alcohol addict sitting alone and depressed on the street in winter clothes feeling anxious cold and lonely, social documentary concept dramatic black and white image

A struggling writer with delusions of grandeur gets what’s coming to him.

Obsidian

female hands holding a black heart shaped gua sha massager on a marble background, top view

Jay had a deadline but his brother’s unique condition gets in the way.

Cossacks

Fifty Lashes

Grandma and Gramps may be communists and the FBI is listening.