Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Who Knew?
“Find her.” These were the last words my grandfather said. Then he fell face forward into his food. “Dave,” my mother finally said. “Your father’s dead.”
By Gil Lian5 years ago in Families
Sisi's Perfect Story
“Look at them, they’re all so beautiful. I don’t see why anyone would choose me when they could have one of them,” the little black book sighed as she eyed the others.
By Steffy Bee5 years ago in Families
Missing
“Shannon, just admit that you took it!” Sharon screamed at her twin. They were just graduating high school when their dad pulled out the little black notebook of poems that their mom had written.
By Kristy M Sorrow5 years ago in Families
Another Day
For my earliest memory, my grandmother had been a secretive, old wort. Even though I had lived with her from three years old until my twenty-first birthday, I only knew three facts about her. She had once lived in France, my father was her only child and she disowned him upon the death of my mother. I was raised by her, or really lived with a series of nannies in her apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. I hadn’t been back to that apartment in over 20 years. News of her passing reached me days after the event and returning to New York carried a heavy burden.
By Joann Amoroso5 years ago in Families
A Serendipitous Meeting
A giggle rang across the park. The cheerful sound caused the birdwatcher couple to smile and glance towards the source. A small, pigtailed child toddled around the slide, tossing smiles and giggles over her shoulder as a woman slowly chased after making monster noises. This was a picture-perfect morning for everyone in the vicinity. Everyone, except one. On the far side of the park, a middle-aged woman was tucked up under a giant oak tree with a small, black notebook lying limply across her lap. Her gaze was fixed upon the middle distance, and her mouth was turned down slightly at the corners. To any who could see her, she appeared lost in an upsetting memory.
By Courtney Canatsey5 years ago in Families
Flowers from Mom
When I received the call that my mother had died, my first thought was that she’d never send me roses again. Like clockwork, my mother would send roses to my apartment on the first of every month. It was her way of saying hello, of reminding me that she existed.
By Jewel 5 years ago in Families
Kira
It was Christmas. Every kid’s favorite holiday. The holiday where they can go sledding, make snow angels with their friends, eat junk food, and sing Christmas carols with their friends. The only night where they were actually eager to go to sleep because they know Santa will come. The most exciting part being Christmas morning, when they open their eyes and smile because they know when they run down the stairs, gifts will be scattered underneath the Christmas Tree. That’s how Christmas went for most children. It was exciting. Watching Christmas movies with their family and putting cookies on a plate for Santa. The whole concept was exciting to everyone. Everyone except Kira Boone. Kira was a deaf orphan girl. She was used to watching happy families outside the window, seeing children run into their parent's arms. Kira yearned for that. She didn’t care about the gifts, she just wanted someone that loved her. Since Kira was deaf everyone overlooked her. She would be turning 9 in a few months. The Matron, social workers, and everyone at the orphanage adored her. She was well behaved, and never caused any problems. The Alderidge family were rich and wanted to adopt a child to improve their image. John Aldridge was the town’s mayor. He was a busy man always working, not having much time for his wife or son. His wife, Teresa didn’t mind so much because she would keep herself occupied by shopping, and talking with her lady friends. Their son, Ben was a troubled spoiled boy, who spent most of his time in his room, playing with new advanced games his parents would buy him every day. John would come home from work every night to take out that Teresa ordered. They never ate at the table as a family. Everyone went to their separate rooms, going through their phones. Before they would go to bed, they’d all shout goodnight to each other and repeat. This was a normal routine for the Alderidge family. Later that week, John told Teresa his plans about adopting. Teresa didn’t care as long as the child didn’t get in the way of her lifestyle. They all agreed not to adopt a baby, for those reasons. Ben was annoyed and didn’t want a brother or sister, but he knew when it came to something like this he wouldn’t get his way. Ben didn’t want to go for the ride to the orphanage. He didn’t care and thought it was stupid, but John and Terese made him go. During the ride on the way to the orphanage, Ben stared out the window, dreading everything. When they finally arrived at the orphanage, Ben looked at the building in disgust “What type of orphanage is this? You can’t seriously expect us to go in there and greet these people. They probably have diseases.” Ben scoffed.
By C.M.5 years ago in Families
The Mysterious Happenings of Horne Mansion
14-December-1924 I was at my desk in my apartment in London when I heard a knock at the door, I was not expecting any visitors and, as tempted as I was to pretend I was not at home, I answered it, “Is this the apartment home of Julius Priest?”
By Janae Messerly5 years ago in Families
My Lost Portrait
The weather is always perfect in San Diego, or at least that’s what people have told me. I’ve been here for six days and it’s been cloudy with no warmth from the sun. I woke up a little earlier than usual today to take a quick hike down the Tiger Trail and possibly get some inspiration for my next landscape painting. I grab my bag from the other side of the hotel room and then gently wake my younger brother up, “Hey, I’m going to go out for a walk, do you need anything?”, Aiden looks up at me and smiles. Aiden is eleven years old, I took responsibility for him when my parents passed away from a horrible accident five years ago. “Yes, let me sleep” Tyler laughs and turns to his side to fall asleep again.
By Sheyla5 years ago in Families
The Calling Card
The Calling Card What is it that compels a mistress to leave behind clues when in the marital home of her lover? Is it the same compulsion that drives girls in their teens to leave their mark on bathroom stalls? Or those that desecrate monuments and other cherished landmarks with graffiti? Is leaving clues for an unsuspecting spouse the Holy Grail of, “I was here?”
By Karen Skirten5 years ago in Families
Grandmothers Gift
The year 2020 … boy, what a time that was. The year of a pandemic that caused a global shut down. COVID-19 was a newly discovered airborne virus. Everything was shut down to ‘flatten the curve’ as they said. All concerts and major sports had been cancelled. Restaurants and local shops closed their doors. Borders shut down keeping all flights grounded. Everything ceased in what felt like a moments notice. This virus was spreading like wild fire, killing those infected at an alarming rate. Many had already lost their jobs. Some were forced to leave their job and stay home to take care of their families. Those who had a job, were accommodated to work at home as much as possible. High school seniors had to finish their grad year online and forfeit a graduation ceremony. University courses moved to online only. Even kindergarten moved to online check-ins once a week. COVID-19 saturated the media. The world’s top doctors came out with new information daily about the dangers and unknowns of this new virus. They claimed the symptoms matched that of the common cold or flu. If you had any symptoms you were to self quarantine in your home for 14 days. It was a dark and grim place.
By Calla Lily5 years ago in Families
Odyssey of the Heart
“I can’t believe you are here! How was the drive? Come in! How did this happen?” The torrent of words flowed past her unheeded as their eyes met, two pairs of quiet blue eyes locked for an eternity. She waited… there! A small twitch on one side of his mouth, a ghost of a smile and she knew he remembered. Dropping to her knees, she opened her arms. He took a few steps forward and rested his head on her shoulder as she wrapped him in a gentle embrace and cried.
By Sherri Barsy5 years ago in Families