The Sweet Tooth in Williamsport, PA

 By Nate Feldman

Mark was at a café in downtown Williamsport, PA, enjoying a Mocha Frappuccino with a cinnamon chocolate muffin.  He had enjoyed the morning jogging on a trail overlooking the Susquehanna River and a series of splendid, blue mountains surrounding the Central Pennsylvania city.  

The town is most famous for hosting the International Little League World Series every summer, but he wasn't there for baseball.  Williamsport was chosen as a rendezvous point to pick up his two children from Fatima, his estranged wife.

After sitting around for twenty minutes, Fatima entered the café with their two daughters, Sonia and Nicole.  The three came up to where Mark was sitting.

"Hey guys," Mark said as he reached out to hug his reluctant daughters, who were not completely thrilled to be returning to him.  "Would you like me to get you a snack here?  They have some really great cookies and brownies!"

The girls shrugged their shoulders.  Fatima looked annoyed. 

"Please," Fatima began to say.  "These girls already have a sweet tooth like you.  The least we can do is try to encourage some positive eating habits."

Mark looked angrily at her.  "For years, I have tolerated so many of your nasty habits.  I will likewise encourage our children to avoid them as well."

The girls, sensing their parents were about to get into another big argument, walked away and began playing with their phones.  Fatima rolled her eyes.

Mark continued.  "When we lived in the Middle East, you were the one who always fed me kanafa and basboosa and all the Arabic sweets.  Since when have you been such a health nut?  And anyway, what is wrong with some cookies and brownies here and there?"

"I don't have time for this nonsense of yours.  Anyway, they have to go to an orthodontist this week.  And they have therapy as well."

"And I have therapy for them, too," Mark responded with a mischievous smile.  "A nice, sweet extra fudge brownie with thick chocolate sauce, heavy whipped cream, and a cherry on top!"   

"Actually, you're the one who needs therapy," Fatima replied.  

That was the final straw for Mark.  "You know what?  I'm sick of being judged for having a sweet tooth.  I think I'm going to start a movement to protect the rights of all sugar lovers like me."

"That will be amusing to watch," Fatima said.  "Anyway, I have to go.  Enjoy your sweets!"

She walked out.  As she was on the way out, Mark said out loud.  "You'll see.  We will have a movement that advances the rights of people who love sweets.  We will not be discriminated against any more!"

Mark took a bite out of his muffin in defiance. 

A reading of the Doomsday USA story

 By Nate Feldman

The following is a reading of the introduction of my story Doomsday, USA.  It is the story of a town where the inhabitants are both humans and monsters.  Josh, a local idealist, has co-founded an organization dedicated to co-existence between the two species.  One of the programs is a local summer camp where young humans and monsters interact with one another and build relationships.  Unfortunately, two of the counselors, a human and monster, who were a romantic couple, vanished while camping in the woods, presumably at the hands of a zombie in the woods.  Now, Josh must find ways to navigate through this difficult situation.  

The Case for Carless Days

 By Nate Feldman

Some people have meatless Mondays.  Recently, I have begun having carless days on weekends.  This is something I intend to keep doing into the new year.  Of course, there are people who don't have cars who might find a lot of this advice to be useless.  The advice I have is more geared towards those with automobiles who should find ways to use them less for a variety of reasons.  

First of all, it is beneficial for the environment. If you are able to get places by foot or with public transportation, you are putting less emissions in the air.  You should be able to find a day of the week where you are able to do the things you need without a car.  

It's also good for your health.  Walking places within a reasonable distance is an excellent form of exercise.  

It's also good for your finances.  You are using less gas, which has become very expensive in recent years.  Even using your car for one day less a week will go a long way in helping you save some money.  

I have learned to enjoy the days without my car.  Even the trip going to the store seems a lot more of an experience when I am not traveling by car compared to how routine and mundane it used to feel.  So, I recommend those who have cars to find a time in the week to not use them.