Welcome to the seventh issue of Toronto Journal, and . . . we

all know what it’s like to leave things to the last minute.

Narrated by Brigid Cami.

HISTORY FEATURE. I’m not entirely certain if Charles Dickens ever rode the London Underground . . . but, in theory, he could have – and that’s good enough for me.

Narrated by the author.

STORIES FROM THE CITY. In the fall of 1942, with the Second World War raging, my father wanted to join the fight. But Doug Clark was six months shy of his eighteenth birthday and required parental permission to enlist in the Canadian military.

Narrated by the author.

FICTION. All those motorists sitting at traffic lights cursing, should realize that it is not HydroQuebec’s fault. – Hydro-Quebec, 1989.

Narrated by Anthony Salvalaggio.

FICTION. On Friday evenings, Tara treated herself to a medium oxtail with rice and peas. ‘I work hard and I deserve it,’ she convinced herself, knowing the twenty-dollar meal was pricey on her monthly budget.

Narrated by the author.

FICTION. Marlborough Street was a dream. Sylvia met me in front of Women's College Hospital after her shift, and then we took the bus up to her house in Rosedale.

Narrated by Brigid Cami.

FICTION. When I finally went to therapy, we ended up talking a lot about my third year of college. It’s one of those things that you wouldn’t anticipate at first, but it ends up making so much sense you can’t believe you didn’t see it coming.

Narrated by the author.

FICTION. The brilliant morning light slicing through the east-facing window leaves Annika feeling exposed. Christopher will continue to lie there on their king-sized bed in all his sweaty, naked glory, but Annika cannot.

Narrated by the author.