H N Arabian Blog - Random Tales

***  “Blueberry Muffins and a Lone Star Surprise” is a piece of short flash fiction: emotionally resonant, tightly written, and charming. It blends humor and heart with precision, and it leaves the reader smiling—and maybe craving a muffin. ***   “Blueberry Muffins and a Lone Star Surprise”   By Harry Arabian A raw February wind chased me out of Macy’s, my cheeks pink from the cold and my heart slightly deflated. The winter clearance rack had nothing but stretched sweaters and one boot missing its mate. There was no luck today. But I wasn’t leaving empty-handed—a six-pack of blueberry muffins, still warm from the bakery down the street, nestled like treasure in my tote. Those muffins never disappointed. Tugging my coat tighter, I turned onto Tremont Street, headed toward the Park Street T station. Boston’s bricks still shimmered from last night’s sleet, and the Common across the way looked like a postcard from somewhere both frozen and elegant. That was when I heard t...

*** "Divine Lehmajun" is a short story that skillfully combines humor, cultural memory, and chance encounters to tell a tale that feels both intimate and universal. It reminds us that even in a world of difference—political, religious, regional—people can still connect over something as simple and sacred as good food. *** "Divine Lehmajun" By Harry Arabian   Tony, my boss, had just returned from the ID Convention in Pasadena, and as soon as he walked into the office, he motioned for me to follow him into the breakroom. His face had that look — a mix of amusement, curiosity, and something close to disbelief. "I’ve got a story for you," he said, leaning back in one of the chairs, loosening his tie like he was settling in for a campfire tale. "You’ll like this one." It turned out Tony had a few hours to kill after the last day of the convention before his flight. The sun was out, his badge was finally off, and the stale convention coffee had lo...

*** In “The Last Day in California,” the narrator recounts a moment of transition from one chapter of life to another: the physical and emotional departure from a long-held home in Southern California to a new beginning in Boston. Beneath the surface of a farewell narrative lies a rich meditation on memory, identity, and the nature of human connection. Through its nuanced structure and evocative prose, the story explores the complex interplay between departure and belonging, finality and continuity. “The Last Day in California” By Harry Arabian The boxes were taped, the suitcases zipped, and the walls bare—ghosts of a life well-lived in Southern California, soon to be memories folded into cardboard and bubble wrap. I stood by the kitchen window, coffee cooling in my hand, watching the morning sun splash golden light on our front yard one last time. Marie moved silently behind me, checking the packing list for the hundredth time, her eyes pausing now and then on familiar corners of the...

*** "A Fistful of Memories" is a story about rediscovery. Though the physical town has changed, the narrator finds that friendship, tradition, and emotion endure beneath the surface. The past isn’t lost—it’s simply hidden in plain sight, waiting to be recognized through a song, a building’s façade, or the ring of a phone. It’s a gentle meditation on the way places evolve, people adapt, and yet something essential remains—if only we know where to look. *** "A Fistful of Memories" By Harry Arabian Forty years had passed since I last set foot in Lebanon. A week of celebration had gone by in a blur—endless embraces, spirited conversations, home-cooked meals thick with memory, and names once forgotten now spoken with ease. My heart brimmed with warmth. Yet, come Monday morning, I felt the urge for something quieter—a walk into the past. “Do you mind giving me a ride to St. Joseph Children’s Hospital?” I asked my older brother over morning coffee. “I want to see Jack… ...

*** "Morning Brew at Green River" is a tender exploration of shared moments and minor victories—the kind of story that finds poetry in the ordinary. It speaks to the value of companionship, the charm of unexpected detours, and the comfort found in a good cup of coffee and a well-fitting thrift store tracksuit. Through its gentle narrative arc, the story reminds us that life’s best memories are often made in the in-between moments—over sips, smiles, and small adjustments. *** Morning Brew at Green River By Harry Arabian The morning began quietly at the breakfast bar of the Loon Mountain Resort. I took a cautious sip of the coffee served in a plain white mug and winced slightly. Marie, seated across from me with her gentle gaze, noticed right away. “I’m not tasting that coffee,” she said firmly. “We need to find a better brew if we’re doing that Nature Trail walk you’ve been talking about.” With a disappointed sigh, I leaned back and muttered, “I packed short pants and summ...

*** "Twin Spotlights" is a moving story about recognition, reconciliation, and resilience. It speaks to professionals and dreamers alike—those who have built careers in silence, shaped technologies in solitude, and who sometimes forget that behind every system diagram lies a person who once skipped a family dinner to finish a schematic. The story ultimately affirms that while we may not always control time, we can still shape meaning—and that, in itself, is the most enduring innovation. *** " Twin Spotlights" By Harry Arabian On a quiet summer morning, the weight of the inbox felt no different than usual—until it wasn’t. Two envelopes, one marked with the sleek STMicroelectronics logo and the other emblazoned with Northeastern University’s seal, lay atop a cluttered desk of datasheets, circuit boards, and half-finished coffee. The first letter brought a wide, proud smile. STMicro, a company whose components he had woven into the very DNA of his engineering career...

  *** “One Hour with the World” is a quiet yet emotionally rich short story that explores the tension between bearing witness to global events and tending to personal mental well-being. Told in the first person, the narrative captures the rhythm of a retiree’s life shaped around the ritual of watching PBS NewsHour , and how that ritual subtly influences his perception of reality—even spilling over into his subconscious in a vivid dream. The story delicately weaves themes of media consumption, emotional fatigue, and human vulnerability with a deep undercurrent of tenderness and introspection. *** “One Hour with the World” by Harry Arabian    It was 6 p.m.—my hour. The ceramic mug warmed my hands as I settled into the deep comfort of the couch, the one spot in the house perfectly shaped to my body after years of quiet evenings. Outside, dusk tiptoed across the windowpanes. Inside, the room stilled—just me, the lamp’s soft glow, and the familiar music of PBS NewsHour fi...