Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

How it began
Jackson was born into a family that really didn't have anything but his father always taught him to help others over himself. So when Jackson’s sister got sick he did everything he could to make sure she got better he began working nonstop making an extra money he could get his hands on. Then the impossible happened and his sister started getting better and for a few weeks the world was bliss. But just like everything in Jackson’s life it was about to get really really bad. Jackson’s dad went to work one night and never returned. Their family called the police and they searched and searched but never found him. Six years later on the eve of Jackson's twentieth birthday his life was about to take a very interesting turn.
By Taegen C. Walton5 years ago in Families
The Grief of a Daughter
It’s the drugs that killed her. That is the truth that everyone knows, that everyone is thinking, but no one will say aloud. That is what Brissa believes at least.
By Nani Cruz5 years ago in Families
Polly's Surprise
Polly’s Surprise By Melissa Saari Grace went out the door to check the mail. Her German Shepherd, Virgo, followed her outside, and when she pulled a package out of the mailbox, Virgo gave a surprised yelp when he saw that it wasn’t an envelope. Grace gave a sound of surprise too, the moment she saw the package was mailed from Aunt Polly.
By Melissa Saari5 years ago in Families
Marriage Rules of Engagement: Some Can Play More Than Others
Like most young girls, I went through my Prince Charming phase. I dreamed of the day some handsome, dream-worthy specimen would swoop in and carry me away for a royal wedding, and I would rule my kingdom. Fair but just (eye twinkle).
By Musing Around5 years ago in Families
Da New Generation of Youngins Keep Us Alive
Have you ever heard of da Barter System? It's like exchanging or trading without involving any money. 'Twas a big part of our lives; we lived in rural country– a big farm with huge fruit and vegetable gardens, apple and pear trees, cows, chickens, pigs, rabbits– bartering– 'twas a popular ting, dats da way of things back den.
By Betty5 years ago in Families
Heaven in Hiding
I cracked open my eyes, immediately regretting the action as the piercing yellow sunshine that streamed in from the window opposite my bed flood my vision. Grabbing my pillow, I pulled it over my head and groaned. I wasn't a morning person.
By Haley LeBlanc5 years ago in Families
Daddy Issues
Daddy Issues By Kami Bryant My dad walked out when I was a baby, and my mother raised me on her own. He said he came back to us, but we had moved. My mother said she got tired of his womanizing ways, leaving her, and then coming back over and over, so we moved. His other daughter, my half-sister found us in Illinois and wrote to us. She gave us my dad’s contact information and I wrote to him. I was eight when he replied to my letter. In that letter he said to never contact him again, that he didn’t want to be in my life. I was understandably crushed, and this led to a lifetime of horrible relationships with men, a fear of abandonment and daddy issues.
By Kami Bryant5 years ago in Families
Lost & found
What can I say about my aunt? She was old fashioned and judgemental, twenty two years older than my mother and a widow. But she was a very amusing creature. She is dead now though, no longer with us. That brings me to the funny thing about life: we don't really appreciate a person until we no longer have the option of being with them. It's like everything happens in hindsight, or at least that is my experience.
By Kelly Marie Francis5 years ago in Families
The Lowliest of Animals
A loud thud resounded off the brick buildings that rose menacingly over Main Street, followed by the echoes of wretched mumbling. A rat stopped its late-night search for food when it heard the sounds. It shook its head; the scene was all too familiar to the lowliest of animals.
By Ashley Maureena 5 years ago in Families
The Payout
The Check I’m holding the check in my hands. The paper feels like a foreign object against my fingers. I’ve imagined this moment for some time now with a myriad of different emotions: sadness, relief, confusion and emptiness. What do all these ingredients add up to? What is the sum of those feelings? I struggle to answer my own question. “My mother’s dead, this is what the life insurance paid out” I say this out loud just ground myself in this new reality. I got the policy when she was in her fifties after my grandmother had passed away and we struggled to pay for the funeral expenses. Most people don’t think about this but it’s expensive to die.
By Esme5 years ago in Families
Snowman. Top Story - February 2021.
PART I The last time Silas remembered it snowing this much, he was barely five. That was a lifetime ago, but if he concentrated very hard, he could stir up fuzzy memories of backyard snowball fights and snow angels with his dad. Like most of his childhood memories, these came with a soundtrack: His mother, a concert pianist, was not a fan of the cold—it interfered with her playing—so while Silas romped in the snow with his dad and their dog Oboe, his mom remained inside practicing some Chopin nocturne or other. And while he had plenty of happy memories of playing and laughing with his mom, it struck him now, these many years later, that very few were in the winter, and none were in the snow.
By Damon Tabb5 years ago in Families
Strong Thoughts
““I’m a money magnet” that’s what I wrote in my little black book… my Book of Thoughts is what I decided to call it.” Liza glanced up at Ms. Robertson, her 4th grade teacher. “I heard my daddy’s UTube saying this last night... he likes to listen to meditation and laws of attraction… manifestation stuff. I don’t know a lot about it but he always tells me to be positive and think about what I want.... so I wrote it too. Is that right.. is this ok to write in this little black book?”
By Nicole Kondratyk5 years ago in Families