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Reverend Langston Penniman sat on the edge of his bed, stretching his black fingers. Everything had either twisted up on him or shrunk except his stomach. Once six-foot-five, he now plunged to six two, still tall, but not the imposing dignitary he once was standing behind the lectern in front of his congregation. His parishioners aged, too. So hard nowadays to attract the young, he thought, standing from the bed […]

Betwixt the stirrup and the ground, mercy I asked, mercy I found. — William Camden Redemption. That is the name of my business. If you’ve got a reason why you can’t pay back Mr. Spinelli his money, save your breath. I’ve heard them all before. Whatever I do to you (and, believe me, I can do plenty), that is nothing to what Mr. Spinelli can have done to me. My […]

Our family has lived in the valley for several generations, known as musicians for many miles beyond our region and miles beyond that. Strings in particular, and woodwinds, particularly the flute. We brought music with us from the old country, a talent and reputation we honor and protect, the best of us sent out in groups of four or five. The rest of us practice, teach the young, and keep […]

Dawn fingered in through the window and gently prodded Stella into waking. She blinked and turned toward the face of dawn, shining in her muted light of blue, to get a better look. She could tell from its pale light that morning had eclipsed the long night and was winning. As always, the tender— yet subtle light in the sky matched her soul and urged Stella to rise. Dawn symbolized […]