family
Family unites us; but it's also a challenge. All about fighting to stay together, and loving every moment of it.
The Cocoon of the Filter Free
“-32.7188332,152.1052945” Lexie came running to me brandishing her sketching journal. ‘Mum, I found these weird numbers in my notebook. It’s written with my pen but it’s not my writing’. She looked at me and asked, ‘ What do they mean?’
By Rachael Reynolds5 years ago in Humans
Dirty Underwear and Scarves from Elvis
My grandfather never told me how he came into possession of Elvis’ scarf. The pale blue scarf was in decent shape lying on the kitchen table next to a faded yellow advertisement of the 1975 New Year’s Eve show in Detroit, Michigan. Beside the scarf were two Hummel figures, a hiking boy and a girl sitting with an umbrella. Dan, my older brother, ate cereal against the counter with a smile on his face.
By Jason Wallace5 years ago in Humans
Night Light
The reflection in her grandfather's eyes of the night stars rippling across the sky. That was what she always thought of first when his memory came to her. Lying out Summer nights in the desert canyon near his small ranch, a warm, comforting breeze flowing slowly across the rocky plateau, filling the air with rich sage and earthy dust - as they'd stare out from the cliffs, grandpa spinning ancient tales of warriors and fantastical entities inhabiting the cosmos, imbuing the universe with riddles and metaphysical power-plays on a galactic scale.
By Transfixed Æ5 years ago in Humans
Why the Rush
Little Jack was in a hurry to get home today. As soon as that school bell rang, he was on his feet and out the door. Running as fast as his little feet would take him. His parents finally bought him the new game all his friends were playing, and he couldn’t wait to try it. Jack barely looked around at the traffic or other people as he would run across streets. He zigged, zagged, in, and out of people walking along. He was too excited, and in too much of a hurry. He came across an alley. Suddenly, CRASH!!! Another young man cam running out of the alley also not paying much attention. Slamming right into little Jack, the two of them tumbled into the street. Jack’s head thumped across the pavement. The young man rolled into the front end of an auto. Luckily, the driver was paying attention and stopped in time to lessen the blow he took. The collision caused the two of them to drop their bags. Seemingly unphased by what just happened the young man grabbed his bag and hurried off as if he couldn’t be bothered by this accident that he helped create. The driver, concerned about what happened, got out of his car to see the young man run off. Not able to get a good description he turned his attention to Jack to see if he was ok. Jack got the brunt of the impact. Trying to get up he felt dizzy, and his vision was blurry. “Kid are you ok?” The driver now knelling in front of Jack assessing the damage. “My head hurts, and I feel dizzy.” Jack replied. He looked around for his school bag, and then again attempted to stand up. Instantly falling back down to a sitting position. Jack realized he was not doing well. “Hang on kid, looks like you hit you head rather good. Just sit here and relax. I already called 911, help should be here soon. You got a pretty nasty cut there.” Jack can now feel something warm running down his face. He raised his hand to feel the cause of this warmth. When he looked at his hand, he could see the blood. A young woman came over from the nearby dinner to help and brought over a towel to place on his head. “Here’s something for you until medics arrive.” Jack thought she had a nice voice. More soothing than then the gentleman who helped him out. Jack was thankful he was not alone. “What’s your name Hun? Can I call your mom or dad for you?” The woman went to grab her phone.
By Shawn Ross5 years ago in Humans
Money Can't Buy More Time
...they found his body covered in gold. A crude kind of Midas’ touch — his limbs twisted grotesquely at the bottom of the canyon. He permanently wore a face of remorse despite his apparent riches. No missing person’s report was ever filed. The money and notebook were handed over to the police and him and they were never heard of again. The woman weeping at the edge of the cliff might as well have not existed.
By Hailey Narvaez5 years ago in Humans
Three Rules
“Regi!” The barista called out. I looked up from my phone, fake smile plastered on my face as I reached out and grabbed the coffee from the young woman. She smiled as I grabbed my coffee and just as quickly turned to her next task. The barest moment of human interaction necessary as she turned to make the next drink. Our moment expired milliseconds after our transaction was concluded.
By C.B. Miller5 years ago in Humans
The People In The Black Notebook
The ringing in my ears was punctuated by the flat line sound emanating from the machine. My eyes wandered over to the moving yet straight line. With a quick glance at his wristwatch, the doctor pronounced my mother’s time of death. He nodded to the hospital staff who then wheeled my mother’s body away. Although my mother was pronounced as DOA, “Dead on Arrival”, I still needed to settle the bills for all the efforts required in attempting to resuscitate my mother. In the end, the fluids they pumped into her veins, the electric shock they sent to her heart, and the oxygen they supplied to her airways were not enough to repair what the doctor dubbed as a literally broken heart. An equally exhausted looking woman peered at me from behind the billing desk while I scrambled to hand over almost my entire week’s paycheck. I bit the inside of my cheek, wondering “Where the hell could I get the money to give my mother a decent funeral?”.
By Rebecca Galicha5 years ago in Humans
The Hidden Notebook
Another pair of eyes looking at him with that look that they think are telling him “I am so sorry for your loss”, but what he can plainly tell is really saying, “I have no idea what to say to this guy”. Sure, some of the distant family and his older friends might know what it’s like to lose someone they love, but at only twenty-seven, John was the only person he could think of that had managed to lose both of his parents. His mother had passed away when he was young, plenty of time and love for those wounds to heal, his dad had seen to that. John was an only child, though he never felt alone. So when his dad recently had passed away in his sleep, it had hit John like a ton of bricks. Another firm handshake and a hand on his shoulder jolted him out of the escape into his mind. His father’s longtime friend Charlie and to Johns surprise, also his father’s attorney, told him that he needed to see him in his father’s office once the reception was over. The rest of the reception went by without much recollection from John.
By Josh Jamieson5 years ago in Humans
Coming Home
At the sound of the captain’s voice, Jessi opened her eyes, “Folk’s we’re coming up on final approach. The time in Anchorage is 6:00 a.m., temperature is 48 degrees, looking to your right, we have a beautiful view of Denali.” Lifting the window shade, Jessi smiled and sighed. Despite her emotional exhaustion, she felt that familiar tingle inside, Alaska had always been that ‘take-your-breath-away’ kind of place to her.
By Melody Barrett5 years ago in Humans
