A Thorn in His Side

He had no doubt now that Sister Augustin was the one who told Father Schmidt about Monifa and him. Many times he could feel her eyes on him and when he turned to look at her, she quickly averted her gaze. And she avoided him. On one occasion during recess when he was talking to …

A Curious Discovery

Someone had left a newspaper clipping on the floor outside of his office. Father Kiesler picked it up and read the newspaper article on Father Schmidt. It spoke of all he had done for the community and for St. Albertus Magnus, the co-ed boarding school where students were taught by both resident priests and nuns. …

A Fitting Farewell

Father Kiesler stood there watching as the church sanctuary quickly filled up. It seemed like the entire community was there to pay their respects to Father Schmidt who had suffered a heart attack a few days ago and died. It was Sister Augustin who found him slumped over his desk in the office. She had …

A Dreaded Meeting

"You know what I'm going to miss when we leave Johannesburg?" Avianna asked Max one afternoon when they were relaxing in the living-room. He had gone home for lunch and had a few hours to kill before heading back to the hospital. "What's that?" "Knitting neighbors and nagging noises." "I'm not sure I understand what …

The Senior Party

The sun was setting when Shiloh arrived at the school. The parking lot was filled with cars and cars were coming and going as parents dropped their teenagers off at the front of the building. Her father gave her and with her friends Carla, Patricia and Dawn a ride over. "I'll pick you up at …

Out With Shiloh and Emily

"I wish I could stay for a while," Rachel said to her brother. They were outside on his porch. It was Saturday and she had brought her daughter, Emily to spend the day with him. "Why can't you?" he asked. She sighed. "I have to go grocery shopping, to the cleaners and then, I'm going …

Dinner with Alanis

It was Sunday evening and the sun was just setting. He was on his way to Jacksonville where Alanis lived when he decided to drive to Gray Whale Cove. He got out of the car and made his way gingerly down the steep steps. He stood facing the ocean, breathing in the tangy salt air …

Chelsey’s Cause

"I dumped Darren," Chelsey told her friend, Beth. "Why?" Beth asked, surprised. "I thought you were really into him." "I was until I found out that he's another one of those purple nurple nimcompoops." Beth's eyes widened. "He twisted your nipples until they turned purple? I've heard of people doing that. Sounds very painful." She …

Avianna’s Interview

"Good evening and welcome to Insight Weekly. I'm your host, Bill Whitaker. This evening, I have a very special guest here with me. She recently won a humanitarian award for her work in Africa. She has appeared on numerous television shows, including CNN and BBC and in several magazines. She recently made TIME's list of …

Too Dark

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. I used to believe that until the words began to wound me. They pierced my heart. I'm nineteen and in college. Other students stare at me and make remarks like, "She's so dark", "None of my black guy friends would date her because …