Smitha Sripathy

Sean King

julie novak

Benjamin Chandler

Marta P

Sam Becker

English

Once upon a time there was a boy named Sab

That’s right, simply Sab. Not short for Sabimer or Sabronius or Sabucillium. His biggest problem was introductions. People always heard his name as “sad”.

It was fitting though. With his melancholic ways and show-gazing tendencies, he may as well not correct them, he would often think to himself. But was he truly sad? Or had it been a feeling he inherited after all of those years of people miss-hearing him? Constant disappointment.

Looking at his reflection in the mirror, he asked himself, "What if I go the other way?" His gloomy expression didn't indicate much hope, but he was going to try. The next morning he wore a dazzling blue & green paisley shirt & the brightest yellow pants he had.

He looked like the personification of mustard, but it did the trick. The mustard cosplay had boosted his confidence to levels previously unprecedented, and suddenly he was ready to face the day.

He power walked into the office, condiment imagery swirling in his mind. “You may have seen me last night battling the likes of May Oh and the dreaded Sir Racha.” Clapping erupted. “But I’m just like you—here to sell hot dogs.” With that he sat down with dignity and got to work.

Melancholy & the Infinite Sabness

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Zoe Becker

Jerry glanced down at the photograph in his hand, then back up again at the woman sitting alone at the back of the cafe.

“Could this really be her?” he asked himself. “I meant, really? After 30 years of searching, she just happens to be at the coffee shop I’ve been frequenting every day for the last 22 months?” 

He took another sip of his warm coffee and decided he would approach her.

All at once a blinding light coursed through the space. Jerry and the woman froze. And then a creature appeared, seemingly from the air itself.

“Holy Christ!” Jerry jumped back and grabbed the woman’s hand. “Mom, we have to get out of here.”

“Jerry?!” The word emptied out of her mouth almost in a gag. “I… what…” The creature swiped down a menacing hand and knocked them both to the floor.

The reunion was over.

julie novak
@julienovak

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julie novak@julienovak

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