Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

A Dent in Time
Ray lay sprawled across her bed staring at the wall. The same small dent that had bothered her for years caught her eye. She stared at it mindlessly not truly observing, lost in her own head. Her thoughts travelled far beyond the tiny blemish on the wall. They moved over the past several years. Memories – good, bad, ugly – all flashing below as she glided over them. Even as a bystander from above, she could see no explainable reason for the way her life went.
By Hillary Tutton5 years ago in Families
The Last Page
“We’re closed, sir,” Anika said to the tall, dark man who ignored the flipped sign on the door. She was finishing a 10-hour shift at the fast-food joint down the street from her house. “ I can’t believe it’s you,” he said with tears in his eyes. Anika completely froze up. She was waiting for this day. After 18 years of wondering where he was, she was about to find out. “Dad?” she tenderly whispered. “No, Anika, I’m your uncle Sam,” said the mysterious man. For as long as she could remember, the only family Anika had was her mom.
By Anita Ehui5 years ago in Families
The Settlement
It wasn’t as though I didn’t need the money. I had university debts and a house loan to pay off, and 55k a year could only stretch so far. But it was hard to look at the cheque with anything other than disdain when it had come as a result of my mother’s death. I believe the term they used was a wrongful death settlement. To me, it was a get out of jail free card.
By Amy Tredgett5 years ago in Families
Black magic
The little notebook was powerful. Literally. Her grandmother had long recounted tales of the magical item, often dotingly gesturing to its pride of place on the mantel piece. The girl had grown up gazing in wonder at the box that was stationed there, for her grandmother kept the book delicately wrapped in soft tissue and nuzzled within an ornately patterned hat box, the very one that had once contained her bridal bonnet.
By Vicki L5 years ago in Families
The Secret of Hawa Noor
The first day after my mother died, I wept. The second day she was prayed over and buried. On the third and fourth days, guests came from all over to pay their respects, exalting my mother and handing me gifts I felt no joy in receiving. On the fifth, I wept more.
By Marwa5 years ago in Families
Story for a Rainy Day
The notebook didn’t look like it belonged in the bin. The spine was intact, the cover wasn’t peeling, the pages were barely yellowed. At first, Raine thought it was Mr. Mayfaire’s. He was getting up there in years; it wasn’t impossible that he had misplaced it. Picking it up, Raine marveled at the quality. Soft black leather cover with a red silk ribbon bookmark. On the inside cover, in neat handwriting, was a message. “For Morgan and all your wonderful stories. Love, Grandpa.” Raine smiled. They put the notebook in their shopping basket next to an old scarf and a chipped china figurine.
By Chloe "Autumn" Ferrier5 years ago in Families
Rule of Three
The thirty year-old woman guided her rented Civic up the quarter mile of gravel driveway. She glanced to the left, the way she had done a million times before as the white farmhouse with the blue trim came into view between two ancient oak trees. Her heart felt bruised, barely moving inside her chest as she pulled to a stop next to the three concrete steps that lead up to the side-porch door. She waited for her grandmother’s face to appear, blurred by the screen door, but vibrant, and excited to see her.
By Vicki Scott5 years ago in Families
The Little Black Book
Gilly's grandfather's funeral was over. Family members and friends had departed and now all that was left for Gilly was to grieve for his grandpa. He had actually been grieving for a couple of months beginning around the time when his grandpa began losing his memory.
By Michael Trigg5 years ago in Families
Aunt Aletha's Infernal Legacy
Most people remember Aletha Magritte from a lurid episode of a spooky-mysteries show on basic cable, a woman of sixtyish sporting a pink pixie with rhinestone glasses too round for her face and a Muppet pelt coat. A woman who walked out of the elevator in a haunted hotel, past the grainy eye of the security camera, and seemingly out of existence.
By Rebecca Rose Vassy5 years ago in Families
A Angel's Grief
I woke up in a sweat, bruised and battered from the inside out. Only to awaken into my real-life nightmare. Another creditor, asking for five thousand dollars. Money was the last of my worries. A picture on the nightstand tore my heart ablaze. I touched the side where the man in the photograph used to sleep, snoring soundly.
By Honey Rachelle Graham 5 years ago in Families
The Journey
The alarm pounds, it’s 6am another dreary cold winters morning, Abby touches the snooze button as she sleepily rolls onto her side, clutching at the doonah for warmth. Tiny foot steps pitter patter down the hall, the floor boards creak as pressure is placed on them upon the entrance to the bedroom door, “mummy?!” A faint voice calls out, Abby lifts her body to sit up in bed as she gestures her little boy to come for a cuddle, he races over, carrying his favourite stuffed bunny and rolled up pyjama pants. “Good morning, my baby” as Abby pulls him up onto the bed kissing his cheeks, “it’s Monday, and today you have swimming at school” Abby explains, Joseph smiles as he climbs down from the bed and begins to get ready for school. Abby sighs as she glances out her window and drags herself up to commence the day. She enters the kitchen, her attention is first drawn to the notice to leave letter attached to her fridge. Abby and Joseph have 3 days to vacate the premises and after failed attempt after attempt at obtaining a new rental property, Abby feels they may be homeless. Her thoughts are disrupted as Joseph enters the room, “how do I look?!” He proudly asks, “spectacular” Abby replies with a smile.
By Breigh Bonner5 years ago in Families
A Thoughtful Trip
Cynthia Bloom a Meditation and Art History teacher was taking her daily commute on the city train. She was preparing to spend the summer in Northern, France near Giverny. Her beloved Aunt Fleur had invited her in hopes to persuade her to move to France and open a meditation studio. Fleur always thought of Cynthia as a daughter ever since the tragic death of her mother Adrianne so many years ago. The two had become remarkably close, kindred spirits. As Cynthia let the train carry her along the clackity journey to her classroom she daydreamed of beautiful French gardens with wisteria climbing the garden arbors, the Louvre with its awe-inspiring collection, pastries so decant from the flaky to the melt in your mouth macaroons, and the hot delicious sip of a café au lait. It made Cynthia weak at the knees. The people of France really knew how to let loose and enjoy life. The slow pace woke her up to mindfulness and thus she began her journey towards mediation and art history. She connected art and meditation into an effective teaching method.
By Stacy Parks5 years ago in Families