She felt a dread of her shift at the ice cream shop.

DANIELLE BY ALEX BENTAYOU 34THPARALLEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 102

But the truth was it usually went well for her. Danielle reminded herself that most people liked her, including her co-workers and customers. Her therapist had told her to remind herself of this.

Being the perfect mother isn’t all that hard.

THE PERFECT MOTHER BY KATHERINE BROWN 34THPARALLEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 102

Books for new mothers will tell you that you need a ton of stuff. You can agonize over what brand diapers, cloth versus disposable, or whether to wear your newborn in a sling or let her cry it out in the crib, but none of that matters because you will be judged for whatever choices you make anyway. All you really need is a good bottle of wine.

To me she was always a Countess, such an adorable little thing.

DEEDA BY UTE CARSON 34THPARALLEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 102

When my mother married our neighbor, Count Fritz von Dahlenhof, in 1944, he agreed to file adoption papers for me. From then on I was called “The Little Comtessa”. 

The tree appeared mysterious, almost mythical.

THE WALNUT TREE BY MICHAEL SHAINSKY 34THPARALLEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 102

“I hope you don’t mind my asking, sir, but how do you manage to to be so full of life at such a venerable age?” “It’s all because of the tree,” the old man said. “The tree?” “Yes, yes, the tree.” “You mean I need to plant a tree in order to be happy? I already have several in my yard.” “And they don’t help?”