Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

The Reward
"I woke up, and a mountain lion sat not 6 feet away, sunning on a rock." Esmira's chocolate brown eyes focused off in the distance as she relived the memory. Her long fingers stroked the plait of gray, but lustrous hair she had pulled over her shoulder as her excitement built.
By Ginger Worthington Casebeer5 years ago in Families
Little Black Book
Little Black Book I stopped working, too hot to do anymore. I pushed the sweaty hair off my face and looked around for one last box to carry downstairs for sorting. There, that one was papers. I pulled it with me as I crawled backward, down the unstable boards lining the floor of my Mother's low attic. MY attic now, since Mother had died. I gingerly felt with my foot to locate the ladder. The fan blew hot air on my neck as I pulled the string for the bulb. I backed down into my bedroom, tugging the box through the small opening. I knew everything up there had gone through that hole, but some were heavy. The box slid down the ladder. I lifted it as I backed out of the closet, and barely turned before it crumbled. I dropped the pieces and the contents scattered. My dogs yipped under the bed but didn't come out.
By Nanchih5 years ago in Families
The Fading
My dad was like a squirrel with his money; he hid stashes of it everywhere. When he died, I found pill bottles filled with change. When I took it home and weighed all of it, there was more than two hundred pounds. It was over $2000 dollars and I used it to pay for his funeral.
By Beth Carlberg5 years ago in Families
Unusual Love Story
Unusual Love story I have always found the movement of the train relaxing. The fast clacking of the steel wheels crashing into the rails, as if playing a game with each other but no one ever wins it, making the game to have no end. I enjoy the noise and it is so monotone that it helps me get my thoughts together; just close my eyes and let the train do its thing as I wait here and think.
By J. D. Smith5 years ago in Families
Stone of the "Uncontacted"
PART I WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2019; 8:47PM “I can’t stand the feeling of construction paper - it gives me goosebumps,” I announced, as my fingers brushed a small stack of scribbled crayon drawings I had etched during my younger years. The papers, once a vibrant red, were now weathered, orange, and torn around the edges. They had a familiar graininess to them that I abhorred, even as a child.
By Michael Valentino5 years ago in Families
Family
You ever feel like no matter what you do it isn't enough? Ever feel like the world is just pushing down on your shoulders and the world is just crumbling at your feet? Anyone? No, just me. A family situation has put me in a tough spot. Dealing with it after giving birth three months ago has made me feel lower than I should. I feel like if I don't share information it isn't enough or when I do share information it still isn't enough.
By MICHELLE SMITH5 years ago in Families
When Your Best Friend is a YouTube Star
“Go over to that stranger’s house, see if they have any kids, and if they do, see if they’ll let you inside for lunch.” This isn’t something my mom actually said to me when I was twelve, back in 1994, but it may as well have been because it’s essentially how I made new friends in the neighborhood when I was a kid.
By Meaghan Ward5 years ago in Families
Nana's Story
“Emma, darling,” my grandmother calls from her study down the hall, “I have something for you.” I hear a slight grunt and I’m off the crocheted-lace doily laden settee in her living room, dust motes rising in furious coral clouds, reflecting the light from the orange and pink stained-glass windows above the couches. I walk quickly down the hallway, Nana was very stubborn when it came to asking for help and I didn’t want her hurting herself, as her back had been giving her issues lately. We almost collide in the doorway, something sharp knocking into my shin.
By Zoe Haight5 years ago in Families
New Boots, New School, New Life
Today I woke up with a smile on my face. I showered, blow dried my hair and put my make up on just right. I put on a slimming turquoise blouse with skinny legged black dress pants. I had just got new brown leather ankle boots and was so excited to wear them. I looked great, I was stylish with a little sass. I looked put together I was ready for my day, I thought ready for anything. I dropped the boys at daycare then grabbed a double double. I had a meeting with Aiden's school at 8:20, he had been very tired at school and wobbly and they had wanted to chat about what was going on and this (virus) he had. Sitting down the concern is expressed that there is something more then viral fatigue; they suggest I take Aiden in sooner rather then later.
By Stephanie Verk5 years ago in Families
My Angell
My Angell Today has been one of the shittiest days of my life! I just feel like the universe is chipping away at my hardened soul with one bad judgment after another. Finding out that my estranged mother passed without the opportunity for any type of closure has been weighing heavily on my mind. As I walk the streets of my town, I hear her voice echoing in my head,” God puts people in our lives as a gift Paula!”
By Paula May5 years ago in Families
“Grann’s Secret”
“Grann’s Secret” Deborah A. Ratliff The tinkle of a bell attached to the door frame announced her arrival. Intense aromas from bins of fragrant herbs and incense assaulted Veronique Bergeron’s senses, and memories of her childhood hiding in the nooks and crannies of her grandmother’s Bourbon Street voodoo shop swept over her. Memories she had long repressed.
By D. A. Ratliff5 years ago in Families
I have to talk about it
On December 31st, 2020 this day changed my life. My constant person my mother, worked fulltime at the young age of 71, say what she felt and we talk everyday. I wouldn't know what to do if she wasn't in my life. I could honestly say my mother is my friend, I could talk to her about anything. Interrupting my thoughts was the ping from my computer letting me know that the email of my papers to HR was just sent. I had requested a personal leave of absence. I focused my eyes back on the computer screen just to confirm the forms were sent. I feel so scattered right now, my mind is racing and I feel like I am in a dream. Someone please wake me up!
By Helen Golden5 years ago in Families