Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

There she was
Alastair He got up at 7am every morning. He made the bed, took a two-minute shower and got dressed. He would look at himself in the mirror, comb his hair over the bald patch at the back of his head and say: ‘Today is the day.’
By Mickey Van Rijn5 years ago in Families
Where We Call Home
Hannah sat on the bed and looked around the room - it was by no means perfectly tidy, but it was still a comforting place to be in a lived-in sort of way. There were a few plants dotted around the room, which could have been looked after a little better, but seem to survive regardless. The top of the chest of drawers had a few of her Mum’s favourite products - the extravagant body lotion that she only used on the weekends to try and preserve it, a few bits of jewellery, and a single photograph of her wedding day. Hannah knew her Mum couldn’t bring herself to move it.
By SLC5 years ago in Families
Circumstances of Birth
It wasn't actually that much money, considering. The years, the families - you'd think it would be more than $20,000. But there it was in a ledger nobody knew existed. His office had been cleaned out long ago, but his children had taken their time clearing out the house. For a while nobody could agree what to do with it, and so everyone took the stuff they wanted right away and just left everything else. If not for the recent tourist boom to the area, they might have argued about it a little longer - but they had finally decided to clear it out, dress it up as best they could and sell it. The house was in a favorable neighborhood for vacation rentals and there were plenty of investors looking for property.
By Nicole Misco5 years ago in Families
The Bucket List. Top Story - February 2021.
Wool socks… a couple of plaid flannel shirts… jeans… a single burner camp stove… night goggles… hiking boots… legal documents, lots of legal documents. Newspaper articles telling of the undercover sting operation that laundered money for people who brought American dollars back in exchange for prime Canadian hydroponic weed… an old passport… a driver’s license in someone else’s name that I hope he didn’t kill anyone for.
By Coranne Creswell5 years ago in Families
What He was Meant to Do
“You really should join us full time.” Art pushed his plate away as he and Cole finished their meal. “No thanks Art” replied Cole. “My life right now is pretty good”.
By Peggy Terry5 years ago in Families
Sardine Tin
Though the hot-dog failed to bait crustaceans, it seduced an expensive fly-fishing vest; it’s mesh exterior caught on the wire cage of an old crab trap. Vivian, knee-deep in marsh, hemmed by sedge and palmetto, cut the fabric free and brought his treasure to shore. Cross-legged on an oak stump, he examined his trouvaille. Rubbed his thumb over the tag. Durable straps. Water Bladder. Ten pockets plump with possibility. My man’s gotta have a wallet in here. Vivian cracked his knuckles, eager for the rummage. Unzipped the first cavity. Silver bodkins. Shiny, without rust. Mama will like these. Pliers and line clippers. Insect repellent. Bobbin holders. Castille soap. Come on man. I know you have a blade. He wanted a hatchet to add to his knife collection. Vivian unzipped the last pocket slowly, prolonging the unknown. Please God let there be some money or a Case Trapper. He reveled in those ephemeral flickers of opportunity, yet, he remained grateful when he pulled out a sardine tin. Knew better than to wallow over chance.
By Keegan 5 years ago in Families
Potato Head, Toy Story, and Muppets: stop sexing childhood
I remember reading a while ago about a long running daytime tv controversy that had mothers clutching pearls and fathers popping monocles everywhere: ARE BERT AND ERNIE GAY?! Can you imagine the generations damaged by this torrid tale of muppet sexuality being slid under our wall of child protectionism?
By Dominic McGowan5 years ago in Families
A Journey Back
Tom had read somewhere that smell is the most evocative of the five human senses. He was now able to verify this from personal experience. He had landed in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, his home town and country of birth, a few hours previously, and was almost overwhelmed by the smell. Not because it was bad, but because is was him! He remembered the smell, and it made him feel at home, comfortable. As he walked from the tiny building that was Bulawayo's excuse for an airport, he felt himself smiling. He was home!
By Jeremy P5 years ago in Families
The Rainbow Serpent
Men yo wi, Maman. "Here they are, Mother,'' Junior said as he handed his mother the basket full of shiny shells he had been collecting and cleaning since early morning.
By Queenie Reigns5 years ago in Families
Feeling Full
Why does life create these situations? I, for one, wish someone would tell me. Is it proof that God has a good sense of humor or does it mean that the Devil could host one of those late-night talk shows? You know the shows. The ones where the host asks the guest to tell a funny personal story and then enjoys pointing out how that story is an example of what’s wrong with our society.
By na’im5 years ago in Families
Blood Ties
At five years old, my hands were flayed against sharp stones on a dirt road that was just as much a part of my blood as any family ancestry. Dirt pressed into wounds and snakes of red dripped from broken skin, infecting the ground beneath me so it too looked like it bled. The black dog chasing me skidded to a stop, panting and slicked with sweat. The distant sounds of my aunts and mother were too far away and the dog too close and so tears and black spots crowded my vision until the trees lost their leaves and the sky became earth.
By Sarah Penney5 years ago in Families
Evicted
Kara jogged up the graffiti-splattered steps of the run-down building. She was exhausted after her shift at a job that demanded too much and paid too little. The mile walk each way on a granola bar and a muffin pilfered from a customer’s half-eaten plate hadn’t done much to restore her energy. But she already knew there was no point in heading towards the elevators. Those had never worked. Kara stole a glance at her watch.
By Lady Coy Haddock5 years ago in Families