Under his breath, Jason Webster recites the Shahadah to himself, again and again, “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet.” He is approaching the security check point, and he is praying that he can clear it. He doesn’t need to worry. Just before entering the airport, Jason Webster had swallowed two… Continue reading Day #9: Jason Webster
Day #8: Betrayal
The smell is what I love the most. The smell of wet fir and pine and cedar. They assault my nostrils and I draw them in. They remind me of simpler days, of childhood days playing in this self-same forest. I inhale deeply and keep running. I love this land. The land, however, seems to… Continue reading Day #8: Betrayal
Day #7: The $115 Dress?
I hate myself for it, but I can’t help it. I pick my daughter up from school, and all I can see are dollar signs. It started before I got there, of course. My used Toyota Corolla, $125.00/month in payments. Her backpack, $43.00. Her books, G-d knows how much. Dollar signs, everywhere. With a hop,… Continue reading Day #7: The $115 Dress?
Day #6: Amber
The doctor had kindly eyes. He shook Mr. and Mrs. Johnson’s hands as they came into the office. Mr. Johnson appeared calm. His wife, however, was visibly agitated. Noting these sorts of things came with his line of work. The Doctor smiled and then he gave a very curt and professional handshake to their little… Continue reading Day #6: Amber
ADMIN: Friday
Today is Friday, the day before Shabbos. This is traditionally a very busy day and I won’t normally have time to write a story. In order to keep on track, I will normally post either two stories Saturday night or two on Thursday. I’m hoping to get one in today though – it is a… Continue reading ADMIN: Friday
Day #5: Catherine of Sedir
The dungeon was dimly lit. Damp and cold stones lined the edges of the underground cavern. In the middle was a stone table, most commonly used for torture. Tonight, however, it had quite a different purpose. There were three in the room. They were totally silent as they waited. They were listening, trying to determine if… Continue reading Day #5: Catherine of Sedir
Day #4: Violin Boy
The building had the feeling of grand dreams worn away by time and reality. Solid brick walls pockmarked and dirty. Huge glass windows, covered over in places with cardboard and tape. Hallways littered with graffiti. It was a high school, but not the place to nurture dreams. For the vast majority of students, it was simply… Continue reading Day #4: Violin Boy
Day #3: Dr. Rajiv Chaudry
Dr. Rajiv Chaundry looked proud as he stood in the gleaming lobby of his newest building. The press huddled around, waiting to hear the latest from the world’s wealthiest man. “My family is not Christian,” he began, “But I still remember Christmas, 2009 as the best day of my life.” Everybody already knew what he… Continue reading Day #3: Dr. Rajiv Chaudry
Day #2: Steam 21 LLC
“Mr. Williams?” said the man, inquisitively. We were seated across from each other in a sparse conference room. The kind that shouts ‘start-up’ in the 21st century. The man’s name was Jonas Feickart and he was the CEO of Steam 21 LLC. “Yes,” I answered politely. I wasn’t sure why there was a question –… Continue reading Day #2: Steam 21 LLC
Day #1: Tehran
“Karbala can get mighty hot.” The speaker had a thick German accent. That was the just about the stupidest thing I’d ever heard anybody say. Of course Karbala gets hot, it’s in the middle of Iraq. But I just nodded appreciatively. The guy may have been an idiot, but he had something I wanted. “I… Continue reading Day #1: Tehran