Part 1

Memoir | Gia, the Friendly Spirit | Part I of VI
The friendly spirit arrived unexpectedly and took up residence within me. Isn’t that fascinating? I hesitate to share my secret, fearing others may deem me unhinged.
By Mia Z. Edwards5 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | The Thief | Part I of VI
While writing this story, my mind wanders to Thomas Crown Affair, a film centered on an expensive theft. ….. I once had a fleeting romance with a thief.
By Mia Z. Edwards5 months ago in Chapters
Atomic Habits
Introduction: The Surprising Power of Atomic Habits James Clear introduces the idea that tiny habits compound over time, creating remarkable results. Small, consistent changes are more effective than drastic, unsustainable efforts. He emphasizes identity-based habits—focusing on who you want to become rather than just what you want to achieve.
By Misbah 5 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | The Nun | Part I of VI
I was a John Hayden Johnson Middle School student in Washington, D.C. During one of my classes, I felt an intense pain around my belly button, which gradually shifted to the lower right side of my abdomen. The pain was so severe that I couldn’t stand up straight.
By Mia Z. Edwards5 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | Sergeant Douglas | Part I of VI
I penned a brief narrative, “The Pentagon,” reflecting my patriotic sentiments during a temporary job at the United States Department of Defense, headquartered at the Pentagon.
By Mia Z. Edwards5 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | Giovanni Alessio | Part I of VI
Giovanni Alessio is a name that lingers in my memory. He was the handsome, intriguing newcomer in the housing projects, his looks echoing the beauty of an ancient Greek deity.
By Mia Z. Edwards5 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | Hostess | Part I of VI
I loved my role as a hostess! I felt like I was on cloud nine, serving as the hostess at Larry Forgione’s Signature Café in the prestigious Lord & Taylor’s Department Store, nestled in the posh neighborhood straddling Washington, D.C., and Chevy Chase, Maryland.
By Mia Z. Edwards5 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | Calvin | Part I of VI
I believe that each community has a mischievous child. In the projects, our bad boy was Calvin Smart, who we named Calvin the Milk Bandit.
By Mia Z. Edwards5 months ago in Chapters
The Other Side of the Dome
The river didn’t change. It never did. It curved like a quiet question around the hill, just below Granny’s home, a proud, whitewashed house with bougainvillea wrapped around the porch posts. The kind of place that smiled at guests and stared down its own.
By Eunice Kamau5 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | Maximus Leonetti | Part I of VI
Growing up in the projects, we weren’t exactly rolling in dough. But whenever legal or financial troubles knocked, Maximus Leonetti was our fixer. He was also a fountain of wisdom for us youngsters, offering advice and information relevant to our experiences as African Americans navigating the hurdles of life.
By Mia Z. Edwards5 months ago in Chapters
Somebody's Someone - Chapter Five
The boutique door clicked shut behind Yennia, and the crisp fall air wrapped around her like a breath held too long. She glanced down at her phone, scrolling with purpose as her heels tapped against the pavement toward her car.
By Neshzivne Dadirri6 months ago in Chapters
Memoir | Murderer | Part I of VI
In our tight-knit community, in ‘the housing projects’, there lurked a sinister presence — a murderer. This individual had a chilling preference for targeting women whose names began with the letter “D.” The fear that gripped the projects was palpable. People were afraid to step outside, the matriarchs hesitated to let their children play freely, and even the ‘secular matriarchs’ avoided gathering in the Court during the evenings. Suspicion hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over our once-harmonious community.
By Mia Z. Edwards6 months ago in Chapters