Tag: Fiction
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The midwives of San Gimignano, 1336
Mary A. Osborne Chicago, Illinois, United States Before the story line for Alchemy’s Daughter flew into my imagination, the idea of writing historical fiction had not occurred to me. I had penned a number of short stories, often inspired by my experiences as a home care nurse, and two semiautobiographical novels that no publisher wanted.…
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There is a time
Joel L. Chinitz Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Vanitas, 1686 Adriaen Coorte, Dutch (1660–1707) Oil on canvas 19.72 × 16.3 in When the doors flew open, the noisy hoard—many in dirty, white jackets and floppy, bloodstained, green pants—circled the nurses’ station and overran the medical Intensive Care Unit. Wednesday renal rounds had begun. As two…
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Hooked
Emily Gregory-Roberts Sydney, Australia The list on the Emergency Department computer screen displayed that the first patient waiting was Gavin Hunt with an anal abscess. The second on the list was Holly Bester with a vaginal abscess. The resident saw me eyeing the list and smiled his crooked smile. “They’re a couple,” he said.…
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There is an elephant in the room
David Valentine Rochester, New York, United States “I’ve lost my erector spinae,” my husband said to me. “They make pills for that now,” I told him. “No, not that,” he said. “Here.” He pointed at his back. It looked more floppy than usual, but only a little. “See? My back muscles went away.” I…
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End of season liquidation sale
Catalina Florina Florescu Jersey City, New Jersey, USA I saw before me a nightmare where bodies lay in a heap. Fixed like statues, their immobility belied their carnal appearance. I asked a nurse, why are these people piled like garbage? The nurse replied that it was a still from a homemade video. When these…
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Hunger
Brian D. Moseley Rochester, Minnesota, United States Photography by Roberta F Lunchtime began like any other. Attempting to ward off the cold with little shivers, most of the second graders huddled under Mrs. Gerhardt’s umbrella. I remained on the outside, inviting the rain to soak my hair, bulky jacket, and baggy jeans. As we…
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The peach tree
Roy Smythe Temple, Texas, United States Souvenir de mauve, 1888 Vincent van Gogh Oil on canvas 73.0 x 59.5 cm In the hot Texas summer of my 77th year, my skin turned a little yella’, and I lost some weight. Doc Butler, who I’d been seein’ for ‘bout 30 years now, told me to…
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Dear doctor
Melanie ChengMelbourne, Australia It was her mother’s doing. After all, it was her mother who taught her how to read. Not just in the literal sense—with Little Golden Books a good year before she started school—but in the broader sense of the word, through the sharing of musty, broken-backed treasures. Entire summer holidays could be…
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Better than booze
Ruth DemingWillow Grove, Pennsylvania, United States The following is a work of fiction. “Mom, Laura’s invited me to sleep over? Can I go?” “Sure, Lisa. Just make sure you’ve done your homework.” “I finished it.” Laura Kennedy was my best friend since childhood. We lived next door to one another in the wealthy community of…