Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
A Tribute for Daddy
The earliest childhood memory I have is of being with my father in the water. He had taken my brother and me swimming just off the rocks not far from where we lived in Pembroke Park. In later years, I brought up this vivid recollection in conversation, and he was visibly stunned.
By The Dani Writer5 years ago in Families
Night Soul
I am only six years old and I do not know where I am. I am small and afraid and I do not like the smell of this pillow or how hard the bed is. I liked the smell of my old pillow and the softness of my other mattress. I do not know the lady or the man who have big, smiley teeth. The lady smells like lavender. I do like that smell because it reminds me of the purple tree flowers that my Nana had in her yard. My mummy used to lift me up and put my face right into the pretty flowers and they smelled delicious. I do not know where my mummy has gone. She told me all the time that I was her sunshine, her only sunshine and that she loved me to the moon and back. She would tell me that she would never give up and she is not far away. I do not know what that means. I know she is not here. The lady and the man say I can call them mummy and daddy, but they are not my mummy and daddy. My mummy has long hair and dark eyes that crinkle when she laughs. My mummy sings songs to me and her favorite one is about me being her sunshine. I do not really know who my daddy is, but I know he is not the man with the grizzly beard and the big voice. I look out the window and it is dark and scary because my teddy bear is not here. He is gone too. Maybe he is with mummy. I hear funny sounds out my window. The new mummy comes in and helps me to lie down on the new pillow. She tucks the soft blanket up under my chin. She smiles with her big teeth and she tells me she will keep me safe. I like the sound of her soft voice. I like that she will keep me safe.
By Joyce Hamelin5 years ago in Families
Bull’s Might, Owl’s Wisdom
With the unmistakable crunch of tire-disturbed dirt coming from outside, John knew his time was up. John winced as he placed a final bandage on a cut above his eyebrow. The reflection in his bathroom mirror showed each painfully fresh bruise. His body ached. But, after an empowering deep breath, John walked out picking up his wooden baseball bat on his way.
By Daniel German5 years ago in Families
Potato Salad
Potato Salad It could have gone any number of ways. There was no reason for anyone to pay attention, what with the baked beans and potato salad, the tire swing and the lawn chairs. It was the familiar commotion of a family gathering, kids chasing farm cats through the yard, adults chatting while my uncle manned the barbecue.
By Darcy Creviston5 years ago in Families
The Burden of Sound
It doesn’t always feel like I love her. My finger picks at the stitching on the driver’s seat as I try not to think. I can’t seem to stop my thoughts from having more thoughts. Josie says it’s because I’m a Virgo. I say it’s because I want to take an ice bath so I don’t have to feel anything. Just cold and numb.
By August Broussard5 years ago in Families
The BirchBark House
How many readers out there like Native American stories. Quite awhile ago I did find out that I am a little bit Native American from way back. One of my ancestors must have fell in love with a member of the Iroquis nation of Western Pennsylvania. I know that I am one who likes to read Native American stories for I just finished reading one children's/young adult novel entitled 'The Birchbark House' a story about the Ojibwa Indians. This is a story for all seasons and will teach us about how diverse Native Americans were during the historical periods of the Americas.
By Mark Graham5 years ago in Families
Drink, Its ok we can get more
shopping. we were supposed to go shopping that day. Living in the small villages of Coatepeque I was always thrilled to go visit my city San Salvador especially if my mom said the word shopping. Shopping for toys and soccer balls and buying strawberry milk was the plan for that day. The night before there had been an insane thunder storm but it had cleared out very well the next morning so the plans were still on. My mom dressed me in white leggings, a pale baby blue shirt and some white shoes, did my hair and got ready herself. Before leaving the house we picked up her friend and walked with her to a road where we would hitchhike and catch a ride to the city. "Hello sir" I looked up and saw my mom speaking to a man in a yellow truck. "Are you headed to the city?" she asked, "yes, but I have this big boulder in my trunk I dont think its safe '' he replied "okay" my mother replied and Stepped back. We stood there waiting for someone else to come by so we could ask for a ride. A few minutes later I saw the same Yellow truck approaching us from down the road. When he finally got to us he said, "Hop in the back I got rid of the rock I'll pick more people up as we go", "thank you" both my mom and her friend replied. My mom helped me and we were on our way to the city. On the way the driver picked up a lot of people and one little boy and his mom that I knew. The little boy and I stood up and kept calling out names and colors of things we passed. Soon the truck's trunk was full of people and we were approaching a small hill next to a river stream. Although the road was slippery and muddy the driver decided to go ahead and drive up the hill. At first it was working even with all the people in the trunk. But then I noticed the car stopped moving, and heard a rumbling noise coming from under my feet. We were stuck and the wheels buried in mud. Then the truck moved up a little and before I could blink, or take another breath, the truck flipped over with all of us. A bright beam of white light surrounded me and a minute later I woke up next to the little boy. His face covered in blood looking at me, and his skull cracked. We laid under the trunk of the car for a minute, I looked around and I could smell the panic and fear around me. I quickly Looked for a small gap to crawl through and get out. I was able to easily get out and as soon as I stepped out. "wheres my daughter" were the first words I heard. I recognized the voice, it was my mom. She sounded like she was in pain, but I followed her voice and when I got to her I saw her facedown the car pressing against her back and blood streaming out of her foot. I didn't know what to say, I just stood there. I wasn't hurt, not one scratch, I wasn't scared, I was just confused. It felt like a long silent moment with intense ringing in the background. I snapped out of it as soon as I saw a Bunch men and young teenage boys running towards the car and quickly trying to help people out of the car, trying to lift the car up for a few seconds so My mom could get out. She was the last one out But they did not give up. They didnt know us or anyone in that car but their first instinct was to help. When my mom was finally out from the car I saw some ladies coming towards us and they took us into their homes and gave us water. They were from a nearby village and they heard the accident. They took my mom and did their best to keep her bleeding under control until the ambulance came all the way from the city. They kept me hydrated and safe. "Drink we can get more," an elderly lady said to me as I finished my sip and looked up still thirsty. That day A small group of people came together to save and help those of us who had been in the accident. They had nothing, just a few jugs of water for themselves and they gave every single last drop they had to us.
By keyrin Ramirez5 years ago in Families
A Night of Silence
Putting things into perspective was always so much easier from up here, hence why he liked coming here as often as he did. Away from the humdrum and endless bustle of the city below; a much welcome reprieve from the steady monotony that seemed to dictate his every waking moment. From up here, things didn’t seem so pressing -- so urgent, and he wasn’t expected at one place or another. Sitting here overlooking the sprawling metropolis below, he was able to finally take a step back and process the day’s events. A sense of calm washed over him, and he heard himself exhaling the breath he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding. Next came his shoulders. Ever so slowly, he felt his shoulders start their mechanical descent from their elevated positioning. How long had he been holding that tension? Bollocks if he knew, the better question being, when hadn’t he? He suppressed the urge to sigh. There he was going off on it again, the missus was right; he was going through a midlife crisis. Or was it an existential one? He couldn’t remember the exact phrasing she’d used during his most recent bout with melancholia, but the pairing of the words ‘existential’ and ‘crisis’ certainly rang truer than the feelings brought on simply by entering midlife. This time he did sigh. He really was becoming like his old man. The thought caught he completely off-guard. Momentarily taken aback, he felt his mood sour. His mind just had to go there, didn’t it? Even way up here on the ridge, he still couldn’t put enough distance between himself and his subconscious.
By Rachel Maurice 5 years ago in Families
