A skeleton dances when the front door swings open, drawing my latest customer inside. I go overboard decorating, but this season is the bread and butter for shops like mine. In January, I might spend weeks without pulling cards for anyone, but come October, even the most devout Catholics know the veil between the world ...

Grief was as new to Lacey as having seasons. Autumn approached faster than she anticipated it would. She wasn’t prepared for change of any kind. The passing of her older sister, Maisie, had rocked her to the core. Maisie’s death was not the plan. The two women planned to grow old together. They would conquer ...

May-Linda woke up to empty garbage dumpsters being dropped at the waste station at the end of the road. It was Sunday, and trash pickup for the week. She propped herself on her elbows. The smell of dew seeped through the separations in the window frame. Soon, the heat would suck the dewdrops from the ...

I’m the Salem girl,the one who diedupon a lonely hill,accosted and condemned. Betrayed by fellow kin,I begged them to live,assuring them of my divine truth,my salvation promised by scriptures. “Anyone found a witch,shall be put to death,”thine scripture says,as taught from birth. How can that applyto an obedient childof my heavenly fatherbeing more than faithful? ...

I left my bones behind to rotBeneath a grave of fallen leaves.I gave thanks for the peace it broughtAnd left the world behind to grieve. As Autumn took her yearly throne,She wrapped me in her sweet decay.My flesh returned to earth and stone-The final act of life’s ballet. Editor: Michelle Naragon & Shannon Hensley

Hazeltina and Gareth went to the dump every Saturday afternoon. They referred to it as “shopping at the mall,” which meant perusing through discarded items on weathered shelves a step away from the dumpster bins. May-Linda had gone with them before but had been embarrassed by their childish glee over an unwanted vacuum cleaner, recipe ...

My name is Shanequia, and I have a story to tell you. You won’t believe me, but I swear on a stack of bibles that every word is true. The day started with cool, crisp temps like any other fall day. Leaves were bursting in maroon, orange, and saffron. Not a cloud in the azure ...

The shadows are moving again. Are you afraid?

It’s Halloween night, and the air is full of energy and excitement. Is anyone really thinking about dinner? The answer is no, but we all need to eat. Check out these go to Halloween night meal ideas for kids who are focused on everything but dinner. Mummy Dogs My kiddos favorite option for Halloween night ...

I drop my keys for the last time as I struggle to unlock my front door.  “It shouldn’t be this hard to open a damn door.”  My fists pound the hardwood, hoping Reginald would hear me and that my housemates were still out.  “Who is it?” My hands move to my hips, and irritation is ...