Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
12 Minutes
The parks of my childhood are gone. Most of the people that I grew up with are also gone. Houses that I used to run around in belonging to deceased family members are no longer, and even though I often dream of those houses, nothing will ever bring them back. Out of all of these losses that every adult must conquer, I think the loss of my childhood dog was the second most painful event to ever ensue. The death of my grandmother comes in first place on the adult misery totem poll. See, when you grow up an only child, your pet becomes your sibling and best friend, and when they disappear, a void fills up your once energetic house. I often dream of him, my dog, and in those fantasies we’re often walking around the neighborhood. To commemorate his memory, I often walk our once usual route, pretending that he’s with me, and I think he is.
By Jenuine Travel5 years ago in Families
LOST AND FOUND
Abner Wentworth mainly kept to himself. Everyone who knew Abner – the wealthiest and longest-standing resident in the small town of Hansonville, New York – associated him with his most prized possession: a small, black leather bound notebook he carried with him everywhere. No one in Hansonville knew what was in the notebook, but if Abner was out and about, he could always be seen either reading through the notebook or writing in it.
By Michael Volk5 years ago in Families
Donna's Little Secret
"Donna Smith died," Bill said when I sat down at his table. "If that was her real name." It was a long running joke of his—almost a term of endearment between two solo residents of this senior high-rise. Donna enjoyed my brother’s sense of humor and always laughed when he said that same, tired, line.
By Evelyn Donahoe5 years ago in Families
Grandmama’s Attic
The ladder squeaks with my every uneasy step up. Years of unuse have taken a toll on this house, but the love and care it once had can still be felt. I hear faint whispers of nostalgia. It flows through my ears and caresses my heart. Grandmama would never let my sisters and I travel up this high before. But of course that never stopped us. We’d hide behind bookcases and under the desks in her office. Laughing even as she threw a fit before she’d send us back to our rooms without dinner. Even through her stoic looks and often harsh demeanor, she was a lovely woman at heart.
By AliakimTheOkay5 years ago in Families
Aida & Seven Tasks
Eee eee, the bed cried as she dove onto her twin sized bed. “Ahhh,” she stared at the ceiling with her arms sprawled like silly string, and she took in one of those deep breaths where your spine gently curls and your body sinks into sweet surrender.
By Cynthia Yang5 years ago in Families
Black Sisters
Speaking to no one in particular, Marge sighed, “I can’t believe that she is really gone. That woman was so mean, I thought that she was too rough even for death to invite her over”. Marge’s comments sounded cruel. It had only been three days since their grandma sucked her last agonizing breath into her smoke filled lungs. Still, all three sisters busted out into uncontrollable laughter. “And, after going through all of this stuff, we still haven’t found any insurance policy”.
By Diane Watkins5 years ago in Families
Kasey
He found the glove in the makeshift loft, located in northeast corner of the garage. He had gone up there to pout and air his grievances to the long legged spiders that inhabited the dark edges of the elevated space. Ironically, in times of emotional distress, he consoled himself in places that he also feared. The rooftop, the large tree in the front yard, the attic and, in this instance, the loft. When confined to his room, he would retreat to the upper shelf of his closet.
By Simon Gray5 years ago in Families
Parting Gifts
Yesterday was the first time that I didn’t share a birthday with my grandmother. Six months after we were too late in finding her cancer; terminal, malignant. The time she had was measured in weeks, not months. No one bothered humoring her with percentages for survival, and we knew better than to ask.
By Dylan Smith5 years ago in Families
The Black Book Gift
An infrared heating lamp with no on or off switch and certainly no filter; that’s what the sun already felt like on this early August morning. It made not sweating impossible. My skin felt more like a sieve than it did skin; as soon as I would drink water it literally would pour out with me.
By Chuck Behrens5 years ago in Families
