The Mercury Gallery, New York, is proud to announce a forthcoming solo exhibition and sale of recent paintings by Leo Kauffmann. November 1st-30th. - The New York Herald Tribune, Thursday, October 28th, 1965. ~~~~~~ When Leo’s studio loft apartment doorbell rang at 7:30 pm on December 24th, he was carrying two bottles of vodka. Deftly slipping one under his arm, he slid back the door’s security catch. “Just a minute!” “It...

I woke at 4:00. I was in Jules’ bed. Jules’ arm lay across my chest as she slept, her breathing a cute cross between a whisper and a vesper. I remembered that I’d left my phone charging in the car, so I dragged on a shirt and trousers and went to retrieve it. Jules was waking as I returned to bed. “What’s the time?” she croaked. “A little after 4:00.” “Fuck! Are you ok?” “Yes. I always wake up around this time.” “Why?” “I...

I awoke to the sound of a shower running and reached for my phone. It had just turned 7:30. I texted Doug to say I’d be late. I then ordered coffee from room service and pulled on my trousers and shirt. I looked around the room and only saw Susan’s dress and shoes as they lay undisturbed on the carpet. We hadn’t made much of an impression on the floor. The bed, however, told a different tale. I sat on the side I had slept...

Harbor Point was supposed to be a beautiful part of Stamford CT but I wasn’t all that impressed when I arrived. I was being driven by Doug Ellis, my ‘boss’ in the design practice where I had agreed to spend a year learning everything there was to learn about New England architecture. My name is Tony Harris. I work as a trainee architectural technician for James Cadden who is the owner of an architectural practice in Dubli...

It was the first day back to work after Christmas. I had completed two jobs before eight o’clock. My slate for the day held seven addresses, all of which I had keys for. The post-Christmas blues didn’t affect me since I lost my beautiful wife at the hands of a drunken driver four years previously. My world collapsed. I withdrew into myself and shut out everyone who was close to me. I’m Danny. My wife, Jess, died at forty-...

My heart flutters looking at the scene before me. Are these butterflies dancing from the thrill of the unknown? Maybe it's the anticipation we fed with all those late nights. Perhaps it is the stunning sight before me. It's like I'm descending into a new world. One I only previously imagined. I brace for imminent contact. Despite the expectation, it is jarring as it finally happens. I audibly sigh in relief. I have made i...

“Just a few more minutes,” Jenn whispered in Chris’s ear as she held him tight, tears silently trickling down her cheeks. Those five little words had changed her life in just one week. “Last call for passengers travelling on flight AA1030 to Chicago…” the airline clerk announced over the speaker, looking directly at them. The time had come. Jenn gave him one more kiss, then felt him turn and walk away to catch his flight,...

Jenn felt the shadow cross over her before even hearing his voice. She opened her eyes and looked up to see a handsome man clad only in a short pair of swim trunks, a towel hanging around his neck. “Is this chair taken?” he asked in a rich, baritone voice. “Uh, no. Go ahead,” Jenn replied as she watched him lay his towel over the back of the chair and take a seat. She couldn’t help but notice the way the fabric pulled tig...