FICTION
 

• Nirvana by Jeff S. Martindale
 
They stood looking at the field: one look of exhilaration, the other of trepidation.  As much as Owen loved home run derby, he was equally passionate about avoiding trouble with his father.
• Going Home by Jeff S. Martindale
 
In the land of cotton and okra, the sun glowed like a proud new father.  High in the air the spring winds drove eastward small clouds that looked like puffs of cannon smoke. Exiting the interstate at a town once unknown to Rand McNally, I crossed the demarcation line into my past.
• Life's Love Lost by Jeff S. Martindale
 
Perhaps she’d spent their entire marriage holding onto a dream that only she shared, staying with him long enough hoping that eventually he would give her what she wanted.  But both eventually left her, and she wasn’t exactly sure how it had happened.

POETRY
 

• Lana's Voice by Jeff S. Martindale

ESSAYS
 

• Yahoo Grandma by Scottie H. Freeman
 
Grandson tried to get me on the phone but got a busy signal. He figured I was in my chat room so he sent an instant message. I answered "come and bring those sweet babies".
• The Best Laid Plans by Jeff S. Martindale
 
When the evening started, I never suspected it would transpire as it did, but I was glad – for once – I didn’t get what I wanted.