literature
Families and literature go hand in hand; fictional families to entertain, reflect and inspire.
A walk away from home
Hours of crying had tired my eyes into submission and sleep came deeply and without warning. My whole world had changed few months before my 18th birthday. Until last night I had looked forward to my upcoming holidays in India, a land that was just as mysterious for me as it was for most of the white kids in my school.
By Nidhi Dotta5 years ago in Families
The Old Farmhouse
Josie looks to her Mother with a long expression on her face. " Mom why did we have to move from Ladoga? All my friends are there." Josie's Mom just looked straight out the front of the van as she drove. She took a deep breath in and out and replied " Well me and your Daddy didn't have any life insurance and after he died it took almost all our savings to bury him. We just didn't have enough money left to live in our house anymore. I was able to find another house to live in with what we had left. It wasn't easy for me to make this decision, I so wish we could have stayed in our home. I just can't afford it on my own. Just wait we will be happy in no time here, Think of it as a new adventure for all of us." Josie looked out her window as her Mom pulled on a gravel drive at the end of it she saw an old farm house with no paint and looks like it needed a lot of work. All Josie knew she felt homesick.
By Amy Martin5 years ago in Families
Becoming
I opened the door to the the Quetzal Café, immediately I am wrapped up in the nostalgic aroma of fresh baked Conchas' and spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate. Scents I were familiar with back in my homeland but were a rare treat due to my family's impoverished status. The café is dressed in colors and fabrics like a woman of wealth and class, but the atmosphere is equivalent to that of a tight embrace from your Abuela.
By Morgan Addy5 years ago in Families
The House on Lucy Lane
The house on Lucy Lane had stood silent and empty for as long as Rachel could remember; a testament to a family long scarred by secrets and regrets. Coming back to the upstate New York burg where home seemed light years away had been a means of resolving the past, an attempt to find a real home, not one that existed as a dream – that place where families loved and enjoyed each other’s company instead of stagnating each other with anger, abuse, and neglect.
By Stefanie August5 years ago in Families
Sarah Watson's family secret
The $20,000 and the little black book Sarah walked out of her deceased father's attorney's office in the CBD with the little green box, which contained a gift and the check for $20,000 from the Commonwealth Bank. She was not sure what she would find. Sarah crossed Martin Place's pathway looking for her car. When she finally gets into the car, she cannot wait to arrive home to open the box and discover what was inside? Sarah already knew how she would use the money from her inheritance. The chestnut hair woman would probably use it to start a new business venture, especially after closing her coffee shop due to the Covid19 pandemic.
By Rossana Naveda5 years ago in Families
Conversations are Memories
He stood at the door for a while, never has a card and balloon held so much weight as time passed with his hesitation. The mind has the power to take over when the heart reminds you how much it can feel. Could this be the last time a day like this is shared? Before he could answer that thought, more flooded and began to sink his mind. An "excuse me" interrupted his silence and a hand reaching for the door jolted him into a reaction that it was time to follow inside, and greet his father on this special day. In front of the tv is where he found him as of course dad would never miss a game. "Happy birthday pops, are the boys getting it done?" Turning his head and seeing what his son had, brought a smile meant for both the game and his boy, followed by a "hell yes! now sit down son I have been doing my best to wait for you." " Pops on this day in history and I do mean history Darnell Myles took his first breath, and just so happens 10/30 are lucky numbers for me." "Well son God would have it that your birthday 12/7 have always been lucky numbers for me." "Dad I didn’t know whether to get balloons or a bottle of tequila, so I got held up for a while." "You sure it wasn't the standing outside for an hour that held you up?" His father replied. "You saw that huh?" "After 80 years you would think you would have known to bring the tequila." "Dad we both know you have a bottle in your room to celebrate." "You're right about that Bruce, the nurses don’t check everywhere, let’s go to the room and have a drink." Bruce gets behind his father and starts to push him towards his room. Happy birthdays and well wishes escort them down the hall, as staff and friends look on. "Do you think they are smiling cause it’s my birthday or because the balloons you got me are SpongeBob SquarePants?" "A little of both." his son replied, "I thought the added attention would liven you up." His dad muffled, "you're so un... I mean thoughtful you little brat." As they got to the room his father told him to lift the back lid on toilet, grab two cups and pour them a drink. Shaking his head at the hiding place his son followed instruction and sat down by his father’s side. "So, what are we drinking to this year Dad?" "Seeing as this is probably my last, how about to the life I should have had?" His father replied. "What kind of toast is that dad?" "Bruce, what were you thinking standing outside unable to open the door?" "A lot of things" his son said. "Mostly the time I have been able to have with you and some of the things that you taught me." His father put down the cup as if he was telling what was inside to wait a little bit more before he was ready. Then he turned his wheelchair and said, "son we both know this is my last birthday and at my age every door I stand before brings those exact thoughts to my head. I know that I did right by you and your mother, and she left this earth knowing we raised a good boy. You are a man that I am worthy to share a last name. Despite the life we have had, and I was able to give you, one itch I wish I would have scratched still lingers." Bruce felt that weight coming back as he began to lower his hand and put down the cup. "Dad you have accomplished a lot in life, what could still be poking at you." "Son the regret of always thinking I can find something better. I did that a lot in life which made me not appreciate the beauty God wanted me to see. Yes, I was successful in career and moving up is how you can say I accomplished that. Looking back there were positions I could have been happy with and been more successful as your father." Bruce began feeling guilty for not showing more appreciation for his father. "Dad you are my best friend and I am who I am because of you." His father replied, "Bruce for that I am thankful but if I wasn’t fooling myself into thinking better, I could’ve been being better and those memories you had outside the door would reach deeper. When a boy cries it is because of a strength he has not been tested with yet. When a man cries it’s because wisdom shows him the times he has failed when tested." Bruce's father got silent yet his laid-back posture in wheelchair showed he still had something to say. "I thought I gave everything with your mother. We had both been immature when we met, but the fire and connection was strong. Life chose for us to go through things making us grow up, and our focus shifted not toward each other but preservation of self." His voice was cracking now. He reached for his cup and raised it, "Son!" Bruce grabbed his cup and they took a shot. A river of tears began to trickle down the wrinkles of pops face. "It was easier to give up and believe we could just find someone better. Unfortunately for you that defeated belief has made you see stepfathers and stepmothers, as if running from what God deemed beautiful to start was stained by Better." Bruce began pouring another shot to distract the tears gathering inside of him. "Dad there was a hurt that both of you carried at the mention of other’s name, I knew you both loved each other. For you both heaven is your second chance to love"...attempting to change his father’s spirit he joked, " what better place to go on a date than with streets paved in gold and in the presence of angels?" The quip did the trick as his father snapped back with laughter saying, "I’ll drink to that!" Before the kick could leave the trail of tequila in their throats Bruce's dad asked, "son you’re still too young for regret. Tell me where does your heart hurt?" He got up out of his chair and walked to turn the game on in the room for his dad. This gesture didn’t change the subject as aged brown eyes followed Bruce back to his seat. Even the announcers and crowd on the tv seemed quiet and waiting for his reply. "Get me up in the bed and hook my machine up while you avoid answering your father." "I’m not avoiding the question, which cord goes here again? ok I got it." His father goes in again, "so tell me Bruce and pour us one more. I think I can call it quits after this next one." The bottle had gotten lighter with each pour and Bruce noticed his spirit did as well. He broke out in laughter having his Oprah ah ha moment. "You are one slick S.O.B dad." "Why is that son?" he replied as he took his watch off and set it on the table by Bruce's chair. "Dad you always know what I am thinking and feeling before I seem to understand and put it into words myself. How long did you watch me standing outside the door?" His father reached for the cup and stared into what lied ahead. "How long do you think it takes a father to notice he needs to comfort his son?" "Well you read me damn good" Bruce replied. "I have had a lot of stress over work lately. Seems like the more I move up the less time I have to enjoy anything. Lonnie is going to be leaving for college soon, and I’m still trying to figure out where his high school days went. Janet and I have begun to let little arguments pile up into a mountain of stress and resentment. It’s almost easier to just keep distance and distractions of other people between us. I have forgotten who I am and the things I love to do. All because I’m chasing what I think is better for me. Then there is you." His dad tries to nudge Bruce's spirit with his own joke, " Bruce I have reservations at the Hyatt in the sky." They both laugh, and Bruce says, "I will drink to that! You always have a way of making me stop and reflect. It’s as if you knew all along I had the answer. That is something I will keep with me always." His father sets down the cup and pulls the sheets up to his chest. "Well Bruce what is the answer?" "Don't ever try to find something or someone better because it’s easier. Live a life that requires the work to make that something or someone better. Struggling with a situation isn’t a sign that it doesn’t fit. In fact, it means you are closer than you think because it’s a fight. Winning is not accepting anything but what you want." Bruce looks at the tv as he is talking. "As a matter of fact, losing only hurts when you know you could have won. Speaking of which dad, the boys pulled it out, final score at the end was 12 to 7 your favorite numbers." Expecting that hell yes Bruce turned to his father to see he was gone. Those tears he had distracted inside him earlier had nothing stopping them now. Bruce buried his face in his father’s chest sobbing as the warmth left his body. His time with his father had run out gathering the wisdom that would prevent this man from failing the rest of his life. A hand fell upon Bruce's back as the nurse who quietly stood idle at the door waited as a father taught his son his last lesson, doing her best to comfort him. He asked "how did he know it was his time?" She replied, "he had been telling you all along, he waited as long as he could for you to get here. Something tells me when he stopped me from greeting you outside you knew as well." Bruce picked himself up and reached to grab the empty cup on the table. It weighed more than it should, so he looked to see why. Inside the cup laid his dads watch clock face down. When Bruce lifted the watch, he read the inscription on the back. " it’s your turn, it’s your time". A smile that could only replicate that of his father took over his face.
By Reginald Perry5 years ago in Families
Sonna's Flower
There once was a family who lived in a small cottage away from any other human. They grew their own vegetables and made their own clothes. Everything was quiet as the family grew by a small girl with the name of Sonna. Her hair was as yellow as the sun with eyes that glowed underneath the moon. As she lived in the stone cottage of books and gardens she fell in love with growing her vegetables.
By Julie Angleton5 years ago in Families
There's Gold in Them Thar, Peaches?
It was getting late and mama was calling for us to come home. It was summer 1975. I was out with my brother and sister. We had put our money together and bought a metal detector to find some treasures buried out back. You see, we live in a small town in California, called Pollock Pines. It used to be a gold mining town and we were going to strike it rich. Mama thinks we're being foolish, but daddy was optimistic. He said if we struck it rich, that we would have to start paying rent. We were good with that. We were out every day, all day. But so far only a few coins and a rusty old bucket. But mama started calling us just as we started digging in a new spot. This could be it. We could be rich. My sister ran to the house to let mama know we would be in soon, and to grab a flashlight.
By Connie Sahlin5 years ago in Families
A Candle in Darkness
Light in Darkness At the age of 5, Anaika lost the person she loved the most, her father, George. She used to wait for months for her father and he always had stories to tell to his sweet daughter whenever he came back from the army. As an army officer, George could only spend one month with his family over three months. He would often describe the different places he has been and how he saves lives by risking his own life. Anaika eyes light up the room when she spends time with her dad and realized family means the world to her.
By Kiara Phillips5 years ago in Families
