Harlan Covington

**The Hero Father** Emma climbed the stairs to her third-floor flat, clutching a bag of groceries and

“Hello. I’m Yuri’s wife. May I come in?” For a week, the medical college buzzed with excitement over

**It’s All the Rain’s Fault** By late afternoon, the sky had clouded over, and by evening, a light drizzle began.

**A Daughter for Herself** I stepped into the flat and paused, listening. After shrugging off my coat

“You’re mean. I’ll go live with Dad.” Every day, young people pass each other

“Could you get Lyudmila for me, please?” From the moment he woke up, Geoffrey had a nagging

A woman nearing seventy stepped into a clothing shop. Her hair was unkempt, her clothes worn, her sandals frayed.

Hunger gnawed at them like a shadow, yet every night, beneath the moon’s pale light, he hid a sack

A Lonely Woman with Baggage Rachel raised her son alone. Her husband had left her over a decade ago.

**Following the Heart** Emily stepped out of the office just as the lift doors opened, and people began