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JULY 2026 Edition

J&M'S MAGAZINE HUB

From Joseph&Mukai Inc. Story-Teller's, Freelance Writers and Editors comes "The Magazine Hub" featuring This Week's Creative Story

The best job I ever had was during my final year of high school.

I was sitting in my bedroom one Friday afternoon, chewing on hard candy while studying for my SAT’s. I greedily bit into a rock hard toffee and accidentally chipped my wisdom tooth. My mother rushed me first to Right Now Emergency Room, then to Dr. Mc Masters, our local dentist’s office.

“So, you’re preparing for college?” Dr. McMaster’s asked as he drilled through my tooth. “Would you like a part-time job here? It would help with your college applications.”

“Yes.” I blurted between saliva dripping down my chin.

Within a week I was sweeping floors, changing head rests, sanitizing countertops and sterilizing equipment. My job was strenuous but required more patience than physical strength. A disgruntled patient could become physically abusive, or a frightened child refuse to enter the examination room. It was part of my job to calm both the angry patient and crying child. I didn’t mind this part of my job. At $6/hr., working two days a week after school, I felt I had hit the job-market lottery. I worked at Dr. McMaster’s practice for five months and met many interesting people including a college recruiter for a university in Greensboro, North Carolina who recruited me while Dr Mc Masters filled her filling. A year later, I started my freshman year at Duke University in North Carolina.

The Best Job I Ever Had

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- Jay King

Beauty & Health Bar

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9.Onyx and Bathhouse Champagne Bubble Bath

A clap of ballerina shoes interrupted by the thunder of African drums. Twirling Marimbas intertwined with the rhythmic swish of a dancer's hips.

"Come with me.” Louisa desperately pleaded, “I can’t do this alone.” She ran her tiny fingers through her mass of tinted braids. I followed her.

The year was 1992; our first year in high school. Louisa had fallen in love with R&B music and Joshua King, our school’s star soccer player. Rumor had it that Joshua and his family would be this year’s honorary guests at our school’s annual “I Got Talent” competition.

Determined to catch the attention of the boy who adamantly avoided her, Louisa signed up for the dancing competition.

“After this competition, I will definitely become Josh’s lady and first lady of St Francis’ high.” She giggled, “Thing is I need to get his attention tonight. To do that I’ll need a dance crew so I signed you up. Follow me.”

“I can’t dance.” I glanced towards the exit.

“What?” Louisa shouted over the music.

“I don’t know how to dance.” I blurted in embarrassment. Louisa abruptly stopped walking, turned and stared at me.

Louisa glanced at my yellow sweater, "Girl, we got to fix your attire first." We stepped into the school's crowded cafeteria. Louisa grabbed a Fanta from the counter.

“Everyone can dance.” She muttered while patting my back. And with those three words my journey into dance begun.

I danced through high school. I danced the day I received my first rejection letter to grad school. I swirled before signing the deed to my first home. The most stressful moments in my life, I turned on my radio, stood up and danced away every emotion.

Last night, I rose up between the thunder and sound of screeching cars. In the confines of the dark, tears rolled down my face. Instinctively, I lifted my arms to the stars and danced while Joshua King and I broke up.

The Dancer's Story

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- Nu Me

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BEST SPA DAY MOMENTS

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Summer 2026 Viewers Favorite "Must Haves"

Jackie D.

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Thank you Hand&Stone Spa Poughkeepsie

BEST SPA DAY MOMENTS

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