TEEN CANTEEN BY STEVEN MCBREARTY 34THPARALLEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 80

Laura glanced about as if to see if there were better prospects—or an escape route. “OK, let’s go,” she said, in a “let’s get this over with” tone of voice. She walked ahead of me to the center of the dance floor then, determinedly, grimly almost, turned back to me. We stood facing each other uncertainly for a few static moments and then we sprang into action, rather like athletes when play begins. We danced to some Top 40 song from one of the major rock bands of the day. After the dance she took my hands in hers, holding them in front, and smiled. Her iridescent eyes seemed to signal a future together. “I’ll be right back,” she said.

LISTENING TO DINNER BY JADE BROWN 34THPARALLEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 80

I never knew how cruel his face could look. Cheeks red with venom, and hazel eyes that made ponds quiver. I bet he was seaweed at some point. Dried up and sold at health food markets.

TECHNIQUE BY SETH GANNON 34THPARALLEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 80

—and so hearing of the famous man’s death, they sat on the steps of the New York Public Library, between Patience and Fortitude, his legs stretched out across three or four steps and her feet on the same level as her butt so that her knees came to her chest, thank God for pants…