humanity
Humanity begins at home.
Always Open!
CHAPTER ONE “A New Restaurant in Town” “It looks like someone’s opening a new diner and it’s open 24/7. I suppose that’s what we’ve got to look forward to these days. No one wants to cook at home anymore.” Darton wasn’t impressed and he wasn’t willing to accept any new changes to his small town. He liked it the way it was and didn’t appreciate newcomers changing what he was used to. “Papa, I think it’s a good idea for people who work late or the overnight shift and need something good to eat. Not everyone is lazy, it’s just the world is changing and working Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm isn’t the norm anymore. Just wait Papa, you’ll see it’ll be great.” Nancy tried to convince her grandpa to accept change and how it’d be good for them. “Hogwash, things were better before all these changes started coming.” Nancy shook her head as she drove up in the driveway. There’s no way now she was going to tell her papa the new diner was hers; he wouldn’t understand. “Ok, sir let’s get you inside and get you a good meal. You are hungry because you get grumpy when you’re hungry.” Papa obliged. “You think you know somebody and I’m not grumpy. I’m just stating facts. A 24/7 diner, what’s next automatic meal makers like they got on the Jetsons?” Nancy covered up her chuckle so he wouldn’t fuss at her for being disrespectful. “Papa, all change isn’t bad. I promise this’ll be good for all of us. It’ll also provide jobs for those who may not have a high school diploma or college degree. So many people can benefit from this restaurant.” Darton went to get washed up for lunch. He loved his granddaughter’s cooking. It reminded him of his wife’s. She used recipes that was handed down from one generation to the next, what he didn’t know is that Nancy added a little piece of what she learned in culinary school to them. She knew she couldn’t tell him because he wouldn’t eat it on a count that he didn’t handle change very well. “Ok Papa, you’re favorite for lunch today. We have chicken parmesan with a garden salad and of course the ever-flavorful iced tea. For you, half and half because you don’t need a lot of sugar.” Papa couldn’t wait to get at it. “I’m the Papa you know, I know how much sugar I need and don’t need.” He took a sip of the tea and gave a thumbs up. “Papa you forgot to say grace.” In humor, Papa looked up and said “Grace.” Nancy gave a stern look as to say it wasn’t funny. “Alright, alright, I know I always taught you to ask God to bless the food.” He then proceeded to say his grace before he ate. Nancy was growing tired and not sure how much longer she’d be able to take care of her grandfather. She was physically becoming tired and not able to keep up her strength. He kept her so busy, she hadn’t been able to go to the doctor to find out why she was so tired. After lunch she went upstairs to lie down for a while. “Papa, I just need a nap and then I’ll be back. She looked over some paperwork for her restaurant and fell asleep with the papers falling on top of her face. She was beyond exhausted due to running her Papa everywhere he had to go. Darton followed suit and took a nap himself. He hated that she spent so much of her time taking care of him instead of enjoying her life. “God bless my granddaughter with a good life and a husband that will take care of her. I’ve lived a long time and I’m ready to come home. She needs to be free to live her life and she’s not going to leave me alone. I ask you to get us some help or take me home with you. In Jesus’ name I pray amen.” Darton fell asleep in his favorite chair. Nancy had a dream, and, in her dream, she had a family and they were incredibly happy. It wasn’t that she didn’t want a family, she just felt like she didn’t have the time or the money.
By Genisha Morton5 years ago in Families
The diner
The streets are lit with tea lights, neon or some areas the paper lantern. The dining choices exuberant with culture appropriate music blasting from each room across the city. The aromas of fresh bread to wake you in the morning, chocolate from the factories or meats from the local smoking houses if you’re in just the right neighborhood. The aromas of fresh garlic and oregano on a hot summer’s night wafting down the streets and into ones open windows engulfing the senses and a whole room, pasta, pizza and pastry from the most competitive culinary pizza and pasta crafters in the nation. Thin crust, stuffed crust and pizza baked upside down only landing upright once it hits the plate. Crusty pastry topping this true form of an authentic pizza pie. On a cool summer night one can stroll down the corridors of the savory excellence to engage in a tasting experience than surpasses no other. Chicago is a city designed to expand the waist band of even the strictest dieter.
By Andrea Sturm5 years ago in Families
Summer nights
sitting in the wooden porch they smiled a little. All moved into their new house. well,temporary house. It was only for the summer and it was more or less a job for these three months. The house was worn in, like it had seen its fair share of residents. There was no doubt it didn’t, having been used every summer for the last ten years.
By Jaeden coltess5 years ago in Families
Piglet's Diner
Fall of 1986 in Flower Pot, New York On a gloomy Tuesday night, four high school truants discover the coolest thing ever- a family-operated 24/7 restaurant called Piglet's Diner. During their neighbourhood stroll at 2 am, Ben hears his all-time favourite song playing loudly from the diner. His friends Wendy, Emily and Tom want to visit the local liquor store to grab a few bottles of lager and visit the little parkette two blocks away from the diner. On the other hand, Ben is craving a juicy, all-beef cheeseburger with crispy french fries, black coffee and a pink, melt-in-your-mouth strawberry cheesecake milkshake, but also wants an alcoholic drink of some kind. McDonalds is closed for the night. The other local 24/7 diners and eateries are too expensive. So what's next on the list? Ben suggests that him and his pals visit Piglet's for a bite to eat, since his aunt Poppy and uncle Wilbur are the owners of the diner. They all agree to tag along. Uncle Wilbur and Aunt Poppy happily greet their first midnight customers as the teens enter the vibrant, 50's style eatery.
By Talia Devora5 years ago in Families
Corner Booth
I was having a heated discussion with my mom. It was all in my head, but I was getting my thought out regardless. I’ve started having these conversations with myself instead of with her, not because I was afraid of these conversations with her, but because I knew how they would end. In my head, I get a tearful apology and changed actions that confirmed that apology. In reality, however, it would end in a fight. I would plead my case, she would insist she’s doing absolutely nothing wrong with that tone that takes me back to her middle naming me when I was in trouble when I was young. Her brow would furrow and I would retaliate in that booming voice that frightened my brother when he was little. We wouldn’t surrender until the other walked away and then we wouldn’t speak without harsh tones for days. Eventually, sweeping the issue under the rug to fester and never again see the light of day. This is how every confrontation with my mother has gone for as long as I can remember, and I don’t have it in me to fight right now. So, I play both parts and say each line over and over until I get the result I feel I deserve. Just another item to add to the list of things I need to talk about in therapy.
By Shae Moreno5 years ago in Families
The Cussing Story
So, Question for all the Millenials in the room: Have your parents ever lied to you? Like right to your face? I know. You don’t wanna admit it cause you feel like they are hovering above your head right now and if you agree with me, ya gonna get slapped… Hell, I know in some households, saying the word lie would get you a Bad Boy smack…
By Darius Colquitt5 years ago in Families
Diaries of Anony Elle
Feb 23 So I just talked to Twin and I swear every time I have a conversation with him I want more. Something about that man drives me wild! He is so sexy and so fun to talk to. He brings me out of my shell and it turns me on in a way only he can. Anyway, I told him about everything I went through with Jaleel and he pretty much told me what I already know… I shoulda left him where he was at. I shouldn’t have even allowed him close enough to me to convince me that was a good idea. You live and you learn! Then I asked him about Ray. I remembered while I was talking to him that he grew up across the street from Ray. This nigga said that was his uncle!!Im like oh shit. I den sat up and traded nudes with this man and den had phone sex with him back in the day… Now he might be my cousin… WTF?! #StoryOfMyLife
By Anony Elle5 years ago in Families
Her Name Is Brittany
Her Name Is Brittany. She is 23 years old and is born and raised in Orange County, Ca. She loves music, makeup, fashion, family and friends. She’s a bubbly, funny girl. Don’t be fool by her looks though she is a bit crazy. She’s very outspoken and doesn’t really like to speak about politics. She loves everybody and also tries to learn new languages. She graduated at an independent studies high school with barley little to no friends. She was honored as valedictorian as she did finished with Honors and A’s. She has an amazing support system when she was at school. She hopes to finish and get a degree in business. As well as she hopes to open up her own one day, it would be a cosmetology school. Hard work and dedication SHE WILL get there! She grew up in a rough family. So much yelling , so much fighting, it would physically and mentally drain her, but She was strong enough to get out at 16 and find a job, find her self. A job that took great care of her. Her family didn’t like the thought of her being on her own, the thought of her having her own freedom without them. There was so much drama that she had to deal with growing up and luckily that never got to her. She had to deal with not seeing her siblings as often or not even at all at times because of threats, Temporary restraining orders, cops being called for no reason. Eventually later in life her father and stepmother opened up and let Brittany back in knowing she isn’t what’s wrong. Her siblings just loved her. She didn’t have to beg because she was herself the entire time and she knew who she was exactly. She found someone who cared not long after she found herself, as years past they’re both still together. She finished high school with him by her side. Did I mention she graduated with a diploma and was honored as valedictorian, spoke in front of everybody!? She was really nervous. She did it! As she grew with her love, they rented a place of their own, called HOME. It’s now been going on 3 years of renting their own apartment. They save all the time so hopefully one day they are able to either buy their dream home or even maybe built their own from the ground up. Slowly they bought stuff for their apartment as days grew it became even nicer. Her love got a raise, he got promoted and got another raise. With that step in life for her love he felt he had to go out and get a degree and even a license for hvac... why not right? He loves working out in the field! She’s excited to see her man succeed in front of her eyes. He is her biggest support system as she is his! They been together for going on 9 years. They plan on getting engaged and maybe even think about when to bring a baby in this world together. She is worried because of what’s going on with the world and covid-19, but She cant wait to see what’s next. TO BE CONTINUED.....
By Brittany Leanne5 years ago in Families
Conscious Me
Hi I'm Starlet, my friends call me star, I've been through a lot and it is very hard to trust people. Soooo .....Let's start from the beginning. I was born and raised in our Nations Capitol, for a long time I did not believe, there was a better place to live. DC is broken down into four sections. Northeast, Southeast, Northwest and Southwest. My life started in Southeast DC, April 1985. Born to James and Essie Gorman, I have two much older sisters. Sarah who is 15 years older and Fatima who is 12 years older. Fatima often called me the mistake and the unplanned child and honestly, its true. Ma and pop were having marital issues, apparently mom caught pops with another women and put him out. Obviously he came back at some point because Boom .....Here I Am. I like to think of myself as the child who kept the family together but me being an accident help Fatima coup with life better, I guess. Because of the age difference my sisters and I were never close, in fact they don't know me at all and what they think they know is all wrong, Hell up until recently, i'm just realizing who I am. Here is Starlet's Story.
By Teresa HOLT5 years ago in Families
The Visit
I made my way through the door. A room of expectant faces stared in my direction in answer to my presence. “Annabelle!” The lilt of my voice rang clear across the room. My eyes scanned the group of faces before me for any signs of movement or recognition. Nothing. “Annabelle!” I called again as I shifted my weight, impatiently resting my back against the wall. An elderly lady in a wheelchair made her way forward, ever so slowly, as I held the door open for her. “Are you Annabelle?” I asked. “She is.” Her aid replied rather matter of fact. “Right this way,” I directed, pointing towards the the scale.
By Muse.Monkey 5 years ago in Families
