2024 NATIONAL MEDAL
for Museum and Library Service Finalist
The Invisible Man was driving us home. Actually it was our father who sat in the passenger seat and gave him directions to our house.
My sister and I were mesmerized and a little scared as we watched the driverless car make left and right hand turns at the passengers command. All was smooth until our house was in sight. At the exact moment we went to turn into the driveway the car swerved.
Raisin Rage by Andrea Santo Felcone (a Short Story Contest entry)
In her twenties, Ruby’s perfect shade was Revlon’s ‘Raisin Rage’. A vampy red lipstick: it never overpromised. But the name?
“What would make a raisin angry?” Ruby laughed.
In midlife, wearing ‘Raisin Rage’ felt … ‘inappropriate’. (Now the raisin wasn’t the only one angry.) Ruby understood all too well: That “raisin” was once a wrinkle-free “grape”. Now she’s shriveled beyond recognition—so not her former self--she’s been RENAMED!
What’s next? ‘Prune Apocalypse’?
All her parents’ dreams - carefully lined up in alphabetical order – Achievement. Beauty. Confidence. Doctorate. Everything. Finalized. Get in everywhere. Hope with a capital H. Intelligent. Just so I can brag. Knowledgeable. Look. Mom did it.
It’s just that they forgot one thing – what she wants, in her heart. They forgot to ask who she is.
Artistic. Binge eater. Crazy about girls. Dreamer. Energetic. Fickle. Grateful. Hurt. Insubordinate. Jealous. Know-it-all. Lackadaisical. Miserable.
Tea & Misery by Andrea Santo Felcone (a Short Story Contest entry)
Forcing Jesse to have “afternoon tea like The Royals” felt extra passive-aggressive, even by Lisa’s standards. He’d told her before: coffee (with cake) was for happy times; while tea (with honey and lemon) was for misery: divorce, funerals, illness.
Everyone knew this. Everyone except Lisa.
Lisa loved Chamomile--it “soothed her”. Funny, she didn’t seem so “soothed” while tossing his belongings out after he refused ‘afternoon tea’. Tea: The beverage of ‘break-ups’, too.
Get Up by Donald Carugati (a Short Story Contest entry)
I was sleeping. It was my first day of summer vacation. I had just completed my junior year of high school. My summer plan was to get a job and save for a car. At 7:30, I suddenly woke to the noise of a vacuum cleaner in my bedroom. It was my mother who announced if you want a job start looking early in the morning. Guess what! I got up.
Gravel by Harry Marks (a Short Story Contest entry)
Mary kicked the gravel as she walked, forming clouds of dust up to her knees. She imagined her feet were on fire and each step was only a few seconds away from setting the ground ablaze.
She didn’t hear the sirens screaming behind her. The cop cars whizzed by in a panic, swirling up the dirt around her like a dust devil. They squealed as they turned at the next street. Her street.
Come learn about the wonderful world of crochet right here at EBPL! For four weeks (every Monday in August), you'll learn the basics of crochet, from recommended/required materials and tools to various stitches and techniques - all culminating in your choice of finished projects by the end of the month. (Choose a cup cozy, book cover, or infinity scarf - or just practice as much as you like using the yarn provided!) Join your fellow patrons as we explore this time-honored craft together!
Eyes of a Child by PO (a Short Story Contest entry)
He gathered them all around to show his new sculptures he just finished. After looking for sometime one said “How come you never put faces on your work?” You can add how you feel and what each of you see in the statue, he replied. After a short time, the little one said” I see a fun and loving face.
Just like you, Grandpa.
Fluorescent lights buzz overhead inside the dusty old thrift store - and in my hands, a homespun afghan drapes over my fingertips. There's a superstition within the crochet community that your soul is imbued in the things you create, so it’s wise to leave a mistake: a door for your soul to escape, if need be.
I examine the afghan, admiring the intricate designs. “Flawless,” I whisper - an unnatural warmth pouring from its stitches.
"Does yours do that also? Yes she replied, everyday the same thing. Can you figure it out?
Maybe they are trying to get rid of it and we keep bringing it back.
Good point. Next time lets just keep running and see what happens. Good idea but then where would we get food?
Good point he said.
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