fact or fiction

Is it fact or merely fiction? Fact or Fiction explores the myths and beliefs we hold about women's health issues, sexism, gender roles, and the female experience.

Riches of the Past
I walked slowly through the field, the long grass brushing against my legs. I had a flashlight with me that I took everywhere but tonight was bright enough I didn’t have to turn it on. The nearly full moon was covered by clouds at the moment but enough light filtered through that I could see the surroundings and, in the distance, my destination. It was a cool night but not cold. My cutoff denim shorts and cute pink custom-cut tee were enough. The wind picked up and gave me goose pimples on my neck and arms. I loved that feeling.
By Christopher Seaman4 years ago in Viva
What I Wish I'd Said
My shoulder was already hurting from the pull of the suitcase but I was only halfway to the bus station. I did my best to ignore the jerk and tug as the wheels got caught in the cracks of the sidewalk and focused instead on the beautiful day and moving forward. I kept my head down for the most part, but every once and awhile would look into the window of an interesting shop, check for traffic before crossing a street, make sure a passing car wasn’t honking at me, as well as lift my face to feel the sun.
By Bethany G4 years ago in Viva
Old Silver Anklets
She was sitting on the edge of the bed. Bright fluorescent lights lit up the entire room, causing the light to bounce from her worn-out mirror and fall on her old frame. Navy blue curtains adorned with silver motifs were drawn close over the locked windows, giving the room a depressing feel.
By Roopa Sankaran4 years ago in Viva
Playing Golf? That's His Excuse!
Sunday, finally it is Sunday. The only day which I get all to myself, though not by choice, I would rather spend it with my husband. But at least I can relax and try to get well. Last Sunday I put on my Marilyn Monroe records, I sang and danced around my kitchen pretending to be Marilyn! The Sunday before I was Judy Garland! Now this Sunday who shall I be? Doris Day? Julie Andrews? Or maybe even Dolly Parton?
By Hayley Dodwell5 years ago in Viva
A Glass of Merlot
It all started with a glass of merlot… I was actually looking forward to tonight. My first date in four years since my husband of 25 years had died unexpectedly from a heart attack while at work. I was a little nervous as it was our first meeting, but then, we had been communicating via text and email and then phone for the past month so I felt I knew him pretty well already. Yes, we met on one of those dating apps which I’m a little embarrassed to admit. Having married my high school sweetheart and had a wonderful marriage for 25 years, I never thought I’d be out there dating again, let alone looking online to meet my potential next great love. To say I was apprehensive about online dating would be an understatement but in today’s electronic age and with the new COVID pandemic guidelines in place, how else are you supposed to meet somebody? So, despite my apprehensive, my loneliness took me out of my comfort zone and I decided to give it a shot.
By Jennifer L Hensley5 years ago in Viva
The Girl and the Night
Photo by Pâmela Lima on Unsplash They offered to walk with her. It was a rule they had. No one was left to walk to their car alone at the end of the night. There was no reason to talk about why.
By Rebecca Johnson5 years ago in Viva
Insanity at it's best
Part 1.... Tears rolled down her little pink cheeks. She was hunched over in a ball in the back corner of the hotel's stairwell. If only the school bus would show up, then she could escape the pain at least for a few hours. She was hiding from him, hoping he wouldn't find her in time. She was only four years old but in her mind she felt much older.
By Jeanie White5 years ago in Viva
Fortunate
The pandemic hit hard in the small Midwestern town where Veronica lived. The population was predominantly older, and the township was already struggling financially. Walmart had moved in and killed off most of the mom-and-pop shops. Add insult to injury; now Covid-19 was killing an already dying town. Most of the county lived below the poverty level, so when the governor decreed a shutting down of stores and restaurants, the financial strain fell down hard on the townspeople like a sucker punch right to the town’s already empty and aching stomachs.
By Breanna LaMonte5 years ago in Viva
The Lion's Den
“In other news, updates in the investigation on the heinous attempted kidnapping of the Mayor’s 11-year-old daughter. We now go live to Taylor Adams outside the mayor’s office for further details on the ongoing investigation.” The announcer nodded as the screen panned to a young reporter.
By Bisi5 years ago in Viva
Bunny Cried When the Rabbit Died
Arley was anxious. The main conference room of the auction house was spacious, yet full to capacity. The event had been well advertised and her item was one of the featured lots. Her pulse tripped up a notch when the little black book appeared on the large video screens flanking the dais, signaling the bidding for her auction was about to begin.
By Kathy Greene5 years ago in Viva
Siren
They threw me from the ship and I met the angry sea with my lungs. It’s bad luck to have a woman aboard. My hair swirled around me in dark tendrils as I struggled. Sinking, always sinking.
By Allison Moore5 years ago in Viva
Guess How Much I Paid?
Every month, I eagerly awaited Saturday bargain hunting with my younger sister, Shelia. Not the kind of bargain hunting you did at the Dollar store or basement of Macy’s and Filene’s. Sure, those places have good deals, but nothing like those in the thrift shops on the north shore of Chicago. Here, you could discover new, never-worn clothes with tags intact at second-hand prices. I suspect they were gifts, which rich people discarded instead of exchanged. Finding a bargain was only one of the things I was certain would happen on our trip. The other was that Shelia would wander off, causing a delay in our travel plans. She insisted on hunting alone, but she couldn’t drive.
By Sheryl Williams5 years ago in Viva