Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Whooo Am I?
Somewhere in the middle of a forest in a land far away there is an owl named Millie searching for some pretty deep answers about herself.
By Camille Cortina5 years ago in Families
Wall of Death
Growing up in a funeral home, there was a sense of death that lingered and lurked around every corner. There was the “death phone” that rang in the middle of night to alert my father that someone had just died, the “death smell” of my dad’s hands after an embalming, the scent of grief and cigarette smoke wafting through the house during a visitation, the grave marker station in the basement, the selection room full of caskets, and last but not least, there was the “Wall of Death.”
By Lou Davis5 years ago in Families
The Visit
It had been a year, almost to the day. Sadie didn’t think her heart could break anymore than it already had. Of course it was raining today. Sadie could remember the incessant rain a year ago, as if the sky itself was weeping for her dad. She remembered the puddles at the gravesite, and everyone trying to stay dry under the small white tent while the pastor spoke a few words before the burial. But most of the events of that week were a blur: getting the call in New York that his heart had failed and he had died during what was supposed to be a “minor” surgery, flying home to Cincinnati, the funeral, the speech she gave (what the heck did she even say?), the sea of faces of friends, family, and strangers as they hugged her. She definitely remembered the rain, however. For 5 days in a row, it had rained nonstop. It had rained during the visitation, the funeral, the burial, and the meals with family that followed. It rained heavy. Everything was wet. The earth was mourning the loss of the greatest man Sadie had ever known.
By Chelsea Spack5 years ago in Families
Forever With Me
I didn't know how to continue when I lost her. The woman who gave me life was nearing the end of hers. The woman who would patch up my many scraped arms during my active youth could barely lift her own. The woman who read through my many school papers due within the next hour could no longer form a coherent sentence.
By Ghezal Amiri5 years ago in Families
Hidden Feathers
“Suicide is for cowards,” Jason thought to himself “or at least that’s what dad always said.” His reluctant mind couldn’t help but to then ask the lingering question “Am I such a coward?”
By D.H. Dyer5 years ago in Families
Midas
“Please, not here… not now.” The night air was cold and unforgiving on thirteen-year-old Ada Rolfe’s skin, as she lay freezing on the rigid earth, lost somewhere amidst the miles of dense forest.
By ceiling30005 years ago in Families
Owl Angel
As I lay in my bed, gazing up at the ceiling, I used to wonder what it would be like to be in outer space. I would often wonder if there was life beyond earth. I even wondered if there was another planet out there like earth. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has these thoughts from time to time. If we really dug deep into this theory, I’d almost bet you there is some truth to our conspiracies.
By Denecia Andrews5 years ago in Families
The Darkened Room
Everything in Geode’s body told him to run, but his body wouldn’t comply. He’d only meant to consider, not to touch. What a disaster he’d wrought by not keeping his hands to himself. Aunt Petra, who’d raised him from the age of three, always told him that looking never involved hands, and that he wouldn’t get into trouble if he never touched things that weren’t his. But they were so interesting that it couldn’t be helped. And thus began his troubles.
By Steve Savage5 years ago in Families
Before she was Here.
Claudine held her breath as she slid out of the room. She was extra careful not to step on the creaky floor board just across the threshold. This was her sixth night sneaking out past curfew. So far, she’d run into no problem at all, but that didn’t stop her tiny heart from pounding beneath her nightgown. Now safely out of the dormitory, Claudine moved quickly. Excitement flushed her cheeks. The rate at which she moved may have caused more of a commotion if she were someone of a larger stature, but the bobbing blonde head sat atop a child’s body. This girl was no more than 4 years old. Her bare feet padded softly over the cold and aged stones of the main hallway. This place, with its long grey shadows, was becoming familiar to her, though she wasn’t sure how long she had been Here. It was longer than someone her age could keep track of and she was beginning to forget what life was like Before. Fear pricked at her neck and water threatened her eyes. Claudine shook her head violently. She didn’t understand why she was Here but she knew she was on a mission.
By Samantha Kaszas5 years ago in Families
Naming Day
“Have you spoken to the Barn Owl yet today?” “No, not yet, I’m still eating my lunch.” “Well, you must speak with him before you go out and play.”
By Tauni Lyn5 years ago in Families
The Other Side
The fluorescent lights were really starting to get to him. It was a no-brainer, really...the thought that a hospital was the last place on earth one would want to find himself for days at a time.The constant flickering of the TVs, the empty, sterile hallways...the predictable footsteps of the nighttime nurses. Sometimes he would find himself emerging from a hazy dream- waking just enough to look at the clock and wonder how long he’d gone without a good night’s sleep- to be greeted by the familiar sound of those footsteps, and have his eyes assaulted by all that glaring artificial light.
By Shelby Lang5 years ago in Families
The Grace Of Miriam
My late father was a falconer, and wherever the harris hawks would fly, they would always travel back to his gauntlet and perch. Inspired, I dreamed of that very title. However, I became a life insurance salesman — a cardboard cut out and could fit into the American dream. Although I was unhappy, I forgave myself for my lackluster, and married the brightest-smiling redhead that ever graced the earth. Her aspirations flew higher than any winged creature, her spirit outgrown her environment like dandelions and her decisiveness multiplied like sweet alyssums in heat.
By Nikie Decay5 years ago in Families