In a world that demanded conformity, Robert Thompson spent a lifetime crafting a mask to survive, but beneath it, a truth long buried yearned to be seen. Robert James Thompson was born in the mid-1950s to a working-class family in the Midwest. From the start, Robert—whom everyone affectionately c

In the depths of secrecy, buried beneath the weight of society's expectations, I found myself suffocating. But it was within the darkness of my own truth that I discovered the flicker of liberation. This is the story of shedding the masks I wore for the world, and finally embracing the person I was

The stifling societal expectations of the 1950s through the evolving landscape of 2023... In the heart of a small neighborhood in a big city, where conformity dictated destinies and societal norms stifled individual truths, The story unfolds, tracing the transformative journey of a transgender so

Rusty's wife, June, whose opposition to his fondness for marijuana had earned her the nickname "The Virgin Mary" among his friends. With June away for the weekend, Rusty was about to indulge in a secret ritual, settling into a world of relaxation, and good tunes, with his dog and loyal companion, Sa

Growing old is never easy, but for Bella, a transgender woman nearing the end of her life, it was especially difficult. Bella's life had been erased through conversion therapy, a cruel and inhumane practice aimed at eradicating her true identity. As she faced her final days, Bella refused to stay si

Growing up in Philly, Billy's childhood was defined by the park across the street from his house. It was a place where he and his friends played baseball and football until the sun went down. They would practice their pitching and catching skills, hone their batting techniques, and strategize pla

Billy, John, and George were three friends who attended the same High School. Every morning, they walked to school together along the scenic path through the park, which ran alongside a babbling creek. As they walked, Billy and John would often enjoy getting high, passing a joint back and forth

This story is a childhood memory of my mother and her sisters, whose deep bonds and holiday traditions brought warmth and joy to our family. The Monti sisters—Olga, the oldest; Albert, their only brother; Vera, Marie, Franny, and the twins, Martha Jo and Margaret (who they lovingly called "Babe"

Echoes of Innocence: Unmasking the Dancer Within... In the quiet solitude of his living room, Will settled into his favorite armchair, a throw blanket draped across his lap, and the soft glow of the television casting a warm ambiance. The familiar tune of "White Christmas" filled the room, transp

The inspiration for this memory washed over me like a gentle wave last night, as I stumbled upon an old episode of Adventures in Paradise on YouTube. As I clicked play, I was transported back to the familiar sights and sounds of our living room, in 1960s, if I closed my eyes, I could see it in my mi

Flipping Through 70s Vinyl... In the heart of the 1970s, when bell-bottoms were in fashion and the air was filled with the soulful tunes of rock and roll, there existed a haven for music lovers – the local record store on Chew Ave. just of 5th St. Nestled in a cozy corner of town, the store was a

From Garage Band to Stardom: a fiction by Belle The New Horizon was a teenage rock band formed by a group of high school friends who shared a passion for music. They spent countless hours practicing in their parents' garages and basements, dreaming of one day becoming rock stars. The band consis

A True Story. We arrived at this upscale restaurant outside the city, I was so nervous about my first date with Regina. She was sophisticated and so out of my league. As we walked inside, the sound of jazz music greeted us. Two women were playing, one on the violin and the other on a saw, creati

Campfire Confessions: Unwinding Around the Fire with Friends and Pot It was a beautiful evening in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania, and a group of friends had just returned from an adventurous day of hiking and rafting down the rapids. of the Youghiogheny River. As the sun began to set, they settled in ar

In the fall of 1970, a shy sophomore boy met a shy freshman girl, and what began as a simple attraction quickly blossomed into a love that would color his world. It was the fall of 1970, and I was a sophomore, still a skinny, awkward kid trying to bulk up in my friend's basement gym. I was liftin

I have traveled through madness to find me... In the quietude of mid-twentieth-century Midridge, young William Thompson entered a world defined by tradition and societal expectations. As he navigated the landscape of his childhood, a tempest brewed within, challenging the very essence of his bein

 The story delves into themes of wonder, imagination, and the influence of art, specifically jazz music, on a young childs creative development. It also reflects on the enduring power of childhood memories and their role in shaping a person's passions and interests throughout life. In the quiet r

Chronicling Youth: Puffs of Pot and the Poetry of 'John Barleycorn Must Die... In the hazy glow of my high school years, there was one album that became the soundtrack to my teenage rebellion, a timeless masterpiece that resonated through the smoke-filled air of my bedroom – "John Barleycorn Must

Billy was a seven-year-old boy with blonde hair and green eyes that sparkled with curiosity and wonder. He loved playing outside and exploring the world around him. However, when his parents announced that they were moving to a new neighborhood, Billy's world turned upside down. He was devastated

A fiction inspired by life... From the moment he first laid eyes on her, when she moved in, he knew he was in love. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, with dark hair and soulful brown eyes. She was everything he wanted, but he knew he could never have a girl that beautiful. Growin

The Illusion of the Unseen, a Pot Smokers Tale: A True Story. by Belle As I walked down Ashdale Street in Philadelphia, coming home from my girlfriend Anne's. Getting high of course. I couldn't help but notice the strange and dazzling lights hovering in the night sky, above Tacony Creek Park. The