True Florida Stories
Angel Keihl hops back and forth, shifting her weight across a padded mat in the mixed martial arts studio where she trains. Behind gloved fists, the 35-year-old hides her face, which has taken a few beatings over the years. Her brown eyes twinkle today, but they’ve been, at times, bulbed and blue and swollen shut. … Read moreFists of a Fighter, Heart of an Angel
When Ryan Barlow was a teenager, he would have done anything to skate.
Who cared about politeness when he was asking for a ride to the skate park? Who cared
… Read moreThe lowbar grind
Lee grabbed the pink bear in hopes of the newborn being a girl, having two boys already. The fluffy blush-colored toy, with a matching satin bow tied around its neck and its tongue sticking out, later sat with its arms spread wide open in his daughter’s crib as he breathed a sigh of relief that he was right … Read moreOdds and ends
Through the clicking of tickets printing and sizzling of onions cooking, a crisp ring ring ring cuts through the air. To soothe the shrieking melody, I cut across the kitchen, tagging close behind the worker who’s been tasked with training me. … Read moreOld habits dine hard
After two days wading through knee-high mud, Rogelio Fernandez watched his Timberland boots disintegrate. With waterlogged pants and bare feet punctured by thorns, he pushed forward, knowing he couldn’t turn back … Read more800 miles