Mr. Softee

by Lisa Michele Smith

 

When my boys were in their "tweens," they went crazy when the ice cream truck hit the block. Having moved from a private apartment complex in suburbia in which such trucks did not exist, hearing that Mr. Softee song was a treat.

One day I flagged down the driver to ask how much for the ice cream, and when he told me, I yelled to Son #2, "Gabriel! Get me my purse!"

The driver, who was Middle Eastern and Muslim, repeated in a thick accent, "Gabriel ... Jibra'il ... the messenger, God's messenger."

I smiled and said, "Yes, the archangel," and he nodded.

Funny how this memory just popped into my head. We are all connected.

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Lisa Michele Smith is the author of the short story collection, The Things Your Eyes Have Seen. She has taught at several colleges in Connecticut, and holds an MFA degree in professional writing from Western Connecticut State University.

Maggie's Escape

by Victoria Libretto and Shakeel Choudhury 

Maggie hates being a young student in the middle of nowhere. All her life consists of is tests, papers, and chores. This can’t be all that life is, reasons Maggie. I need something better than what I have now. 

Today, Maggie discovers the excitement she was craving. She is investigating a gruesome crime scene with her partner. A man had seemingly slipped off a cliff. The police had already declared that the man had simply taken a wrong step in darkness of night while returning from work. Maggie knew that there was something afoot, and she must discover it soon.

The foolish police neglected small details that only a skilled detective like Maggie could spot. She saw the long streaks and faint footprints in the mud ten yards back. She noted the lack of money in man’s pockets, which was strange since the man should have received his pay for the week. She added up the clues and deduced that there was a mugging, and this innocent man was murdered. 

But who could it be, thought Maggie. The only one who was out at that time of the night was –. Suddenly, she heard faint calls. “Maggie, Maaaaggiiiie …” the voice called. She would have to continue the investigation later, maybe later in the day. For now she would have to close her copy of Sherlock Holmes and investigate what her mother was calling her for.

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Victoria Libretto is a second-year student at Asnuntuck Community College. She plans to finish her schooling at Asuntuck and go to a four-year college to continue her education to become and ultrasound technician. 

Shakeel Choudhury is a second-year student at Asnuntuck Community College. She hopes to continue her education and attain a degree in a computer IT field because she loves working with technology. 


Both authors are enrolled in Jessica Handly's ENG 102 course.

The Circus Affair

by Dawa Drolma, Allison Kulas, and Amber Pelletier


Lucy planned to take her husband to the circus for their honeymoon. As they made their way through the seemingly never-ending woods, they finally spotted the colorful tent.

Davis, the ringmaster, led the show’s elaborate performance. He was the stereotypical tall, dark, and handsome gentleman. He specialized in the show’s intense magic tricks that left the audience speechless.

Lucy and her husband joined the audience with their popcorn and peanuts to enjoy the show. During the middle of the performance, Davis spotted the young couple kissing lovingly during his act. He called the husband down onto the stage as a guest for his magic trick. The husband entered a large mysterious box, and Davis shut the door. After a few minutes of interaction with the audience, the doors opened to reveal an empty box. The show ended here.

Lucy stood up quickly and ran out of the tent to find Davis standing beside a tree. They met with sly smiles and held each other in their arms.

“I missed you so much,” exclaimed Lucy.

“I’m all yours, forever and always,” replied Davis.

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All three of the coauthors are students in Jessica Handly's ENG 102 course at Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield, Connecticut.

Dawa Drolma is an international student from Tibet at Bay Path University.

Allison Kulas also attends Bay Path University in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.

Amber Pelletier also attends the University of Bay Path. She is a sophomore majoring in Occupational Therapy. This is her first publication.

The Mysterious Woods

by Alison Thomas, Joe Tarasek, Jason Despard, and Seth Bernard

“Do not go into the woods because of the evil clown that lives there,” said Raphael and Jimmy’s mother.

Later that day, the boys decided to venture into the woods. Thinking that what their mother said was a lie, they decided to walk deeper into the woods.

As they were playing in the woods, Raphael noticed a tent in the distance. They slowly walked towards it, their adrenaline building. Jimmy decided to throw a rock at the tent, and Raphael soon followed. They then decided to rain as many rocks as they could throw.

Suddenly a clown came out of the tent in great anger. He stared down the boys for what seemed like a century. The clown started to walk towards them. The boys took notice and decided to run as fast as they could back home.

The boys returned home and went straight to their beds. Their father noticed that they returned to the house with great haste.

The father walked upstairs and into their room and asked, “What’s wrong guys?”

The boys had the lights on and were both cuddled in the same bed.

They replied, “Nothing, we are fine.”

The father then closed the door and walked towards his wife saying, “It worked.”

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All four of the coauthors are students in Jessica Handly's ENG 102 course at Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield, Connecticut.

Alison Thomas is currently a sophomore in college. She enjoys reading and writing and particularly welcomed the opportunity to cowrite "The Mysterious Woods."

Joe Tarasek is a second-year student at Asnuntuck Community College. His goal is to pursue management information systems at a four-year college.

Jason Despard is in his second semester at Asnuntuck Community College. He is 19 years old and plans majoring in accounting. Next fall, he will attend Eastern Connecticut State University.

Seth Bernard is 21 years old and from Enfield, Connecticut. He is a sophomore at Asnuntuck and plans transfer to the University of Connecticut to major in environmental science. He enjoys riding his BMX bike and traveling and has a pit bull named Louie.

Welcome Back

by Wayne Barr

Drink a few drinks. Think to yourself, what was that show from the seventies about a teacher in Brooklyn? Remember the show, Google the opening credits, realize that you remember watching this when you were no more than four years old, that you remember the cutaway to some bird flying against the cityscape, this one bird that's been dead for over forty years, longer than you've been alive, you remember watching this bird and the camera panning around to follow it, and now you're watching this bird again. Reflect on something like mortality, memory, pour another drink, go to bed.

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Wayne Barr teaches English full time at Tantasqua Regional Senior High School in Fiskdale, Massachusetts, and part time at Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield, Connecticut.

Cool Shirt, Bro

by John Sheirer

I bought what I thought was a really cool flannel shirt at Costco yesterday, and then in the checkout line I noticed an older guy buying the same shirt. And then I saw another guy even older in another check-out line actually wearing the same shirt. And then I noticed that everyone in Costco was older than I am. And then I noticed they weren't older by much. And then I felt tired. 

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John Sheirer edits this publication.

Spring

by Herm Rawlings

Ahh ... you know spring is just around the corner when you're awakened by the sweet sound of a little bird ourside your window with its two-toned chirp happily welcoming the new day. The early sun's rays warm your face as you begin to think what has to be done. Did I mention the bird outside the window? You continue lying there gathering your thoughts, and all the while that bird continues to call to you with its high/low melody every few seconds. You feel like you'd like to just stay right where you are and enjoy just a few more minutes of silent solitude. But you can't. There's work to be done, plus ... THAT F@#KING BIRD IS STILL AT THE WINDOW! I HATE YOU BIRD! I HATE YOU WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY SOUL! WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE OUTSIDE MY WINDOW YOU WRETCHED LITTLE WINGED CREATURE? SHUT THE F#%K UP ALREADY! I HOPE WHEN YOU'RE FLYING AROUND, YOU FLY RIGHT INTO THE GRILL OF DEATH ATTACHED TO A SPEEDING 18 FRICKIN WHEELER! OH HOW I LOATHE YOU, YOU FEATHERED F#*KER. I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND GIVE YOU A NEW HOME ON MY ROTISSERIE AND HAVE YOUR YOUNG FOR BREAKFAST TOMORROW MORNING. I DESPISE YOUR VERY EXISTENCE YOU LITTLE BASTARD! QUIT WAKING ME UP 45 MINUTES BEFORE THE ALARM GOES OFF! DIE, DIE, DIE YOU NOISY FLYING MOUSE! ... Have a great day everyone!

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Herm Rawlings is a retired Coast Guardsman currently working for the U.S. Navy in Wallops Island, Virginia. He has had multiple articles published in Shore Secrets Magazine and is currently working on a book about his life. Humor and self-depreciation are always key ingredients in his writings.