Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
The Crows Message from Yama, the Lord of Death
I stirred a small spoonful of chili powder into the pot of simmering butter chicken sauce. The smell enveloped the entire house. I hoped I was doing it right this time. The kids deserved that much. Maybe it would help make their week easier.
By Amy Rivers5 years ago in Families
Lácteos del Che
My grandmother was always my foundation, my abutment.....my Alcántara Bridge, as it may. Growing up in Buenos Aires, I never had a sense of who I was or who I could ever be? I never knew of my father and my mother died giving birth to me. So, my ontic composed of just two entities....grandmother and myself.
By Tyronn Rahda Monroe5 years ago in Families
Las Vegas Adventures
My uncle, Lou Hickock, loved Las Vegas and visited twice a year from 1996 through 2017. He loved the slots. After staying at the Aladdin, the first year, he stayed at the Imperial Palace in 1998 after they imploded the Aladdin. In later years, he enjoyed staying at the Plaza and the Four Queens.
By PEGGY PLACE5 years ago in Families
Grandpa Gordon
"Please, stop crying, Mom." Percy said. "Yeah, I know... What? You're breaking up... I will, I will... Okay, bye." Percy hung up his phone and continued to pack up boxes. His mind was getting cluttered more than his grandfather's dusty, old, single-story house. With every mover passing by, the floor creaked a hundred times. Percy stepped out onto the porch and took a breath of fresh, dust free air. The afternoon sun shined down on the big moving truck; packed to the end with boxes full of his grandfather's old stuff.
By Carlos Tingle5 years ago in Families
The New Girls
The children are all streaming towards the school doors and the other mums and dads have long gone, but I’m still there, half-hiding behind the school gate as I watch Chloe wander into school. She walks alone, and my heart twists inside me as I see two girls near her join arms and skip towards the doors. No one even seems to see her, but then why should they? Today is her first day and I know how that goes. No matter what age you are, it is so brutally hard to be the new girl.
By Kate Hewitt5 years ago in Families
The Little Black Book Demon
I placed my drink on the coaster on the table in-front of the couch. I could hear the murmur of approval even though it'd be a ghost and I was no medium. I glanced at the paper will next to my can of soft-drink and sighed. I looked up to the sound of footsteps and Karli was focused on a shoe-box and barely on where she was walking. She bumped slightly into the kitchen counter on her way to the couch, gave the counter a dirty look and then found a seat next to me, placing the shoe-box on her lap.
By Kyah Merfrell5 years ago in Families
In the Moment
It took her less than two seconds to recognize what was in her hands. Looking up from her lap she looked around the room; everyone was grieving for Uncle Robert. He had been a wonderful light in her life after the death of her husband. She’d been lost, unsure of her future or where she’d go. Uncle Robert put her to work in his Foundation. At first she dreaded getting up in the mornings but she made a promise to him that for one month she would come to work everyday no matter what and at the end of that one month if she did not like what she was doing, he would release her from the promise; free to go about doing whatever she wanted and he would financially support her for an entire year.
By Kristi Zeman5 years ago in Families
The Journal
Eliza was a creature of habit and as such, she would wake do her yoga and then proceed to go down to the nearby cafe for her bagel and coffee. That was the plan on this day but something happened the moment that she opened the front door to her house. She looked down seeing a plain yellow manila envelope with her name written in elegant script. She looked around her before bending down and grabbing the envelope. The weight of the envelope surprised her and she nearly dropped it. She carefully opened the envelope then peered inside. Her eyes widened and she quickly walked back into her house closing the door behind her, her bagel and coffee forgotten for now.
By Fates Relic5 years ago in Families
Grist to the Mill
Today was the kickoff for NCAA basketball of which I'm a huge fan. At 900 am, I was able to turn on my Roku and stream live college hoops until 830 pm, when I left to walk my dogs this evening. It was glorious. As this is the Eve of Thanksgiving, I feel obligated to note that I'm grateful to work in a shop whose owner decided to close for the whole week, giving me the opportunity to watch some of the games, while, of course, attending to family needs and Thanksgiving preparations. Although, even as I write this, I'm avoiding culinary duties.
By Caleb Baker5 years ago in Families
The Little Black Book
Erick Ruden was in the prime of his life. Graduated top of his class at the University of Iowa school of Medicine and is in his first year of residency at the University’s hospital. He enjoyed working in the pediatric unit, where from the windows you got a view of the Kinnick football stadium and all of the college games that were played throughout the season. The kids were brimming with excitement every time they got the opportunity to watch, which brought serene joy to Erick’s heart in his choice to dedicate his career to these children.
By Tyler Fletcher5 years ago in Families
