Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Chapters.
Old Enough
I get up early cause I know Pearl will make biscuits, eggs, and crisp bacon and let me lick the warm salty lard with my fingers from the skillet once it cools off. I watch her go "mmmm, mmmm" and squeeze her lips into a smile. She starts the percolator for Paw-Paw, pours me a big glass of ice cold milk and stands over me saying, "drink it down." Pearl always makes hard things seem easy, not so good days feel okay and I wish she were my Momma. We don't look the same but if she asked me to be her child I'd be the luckiest girl alive. She pulls my fingers out of my mouth, " you get worms now, hear me?" I most definitely don't want worms so I am really trying to stop chewing my nails. Pearl's nails are always clean, trimmed, with a clear, shiny gloss. Her lips are full, ripe, like a fresh dark purple plum. She has fine teeth, big hazel eyes and wears tiny gold studs in each earlobe. I want earrings, but the thought of a needle being pushed though my ear doesn't sound like it's worth the trouble, at least right now. I would like some tap shoes though. Pearl laughs when I tell her about my dancing dreams. She says I have happy feet cause I am wiggling my toes all the time. When Paw-Paw goes out on the porch to smoke his pipe I always show him my latest moves. After breakfast, Pearl starts washing our sheets and says there is a dust bunny under my bed. I don't want to look. I scare myself enough just looking at hobos. Anyway, back to the railroad. Just can't help myself. I don't curse, smoke, steal or commit sins that I know of, but I can tell you right here and right now, hobos teach and preach more than any one body needs. I confess I became on friendly terms with a man named Hank. He'd wave and say, " Hey, May! Keep smilin' kiddo!" and he'd sometimes be laying in the shade right calm when I snuck up to see him. He always looked sad just before he caught sight of me. Soon as my big trap started jabbering he'd change like a chameleon. That is, he'd try to make life seem so fine. I new he was hungry. I started taking biscuits on the days I figured he'd be around and he was always obliged. Just like the song, Mr. Bojangles, I began to show off my dancing moves to cheer ole Hank up. How is it we just know someone isn't happy? He laughed and smiled; in my mind he had a harmonica or some groovy steps he'd show me, but he never did. When the rest of the jumpers, as he referred to his fellow train hopping hobos as, came around he'd shoo me off. He told me in a kind, yet tough way to go on home. Where Hank went I never knew; in my heart I liked to hold it was somewhere much better than the hard ass dirt he slept on, full of God only knows what, and lonesome nights with an empty belly and mosquitos. Back home, I'm hosed down. Pearl gives me a hard stare; I am guessing she is guessing where the heck I've been. I am full of cockleburs, red from the sun. She leaves Paw-Paw and me my favourite, whipped cream and orange jello. I always hug her when she heads back to the place she calls home; I will make sure that this summer I follow Pearl like a cat stalks, curious that is, not aiming to find trouble. Late, when Paw-Paw is loving his heap of second helpings from supper, I ease out from my bedroom and stand right in front of the late night news. Paw-Paw's old Grandpa eyes widen and I start dancing; I pretend to tap dance and point my toes toward the ceiling fan, clap my hands and fall onto the thick, Persian patterned carpet. Paw-Paw laughs with his belly bouncing. I guess for now, summer is getting off to a good start. I slink down the long hallway and slither into bed. I wonder where Hank is now; Memphis, Baton Rouge, New Orleans? By now, hobos, I mean, jumpers, could be anywhere. I say out loud as if I am praying, "Goodnight jumper Hank; goodnight Pearl". I wiggle my toes one more time, roll over toward the moon shining through my window and smile.
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😊Presentation In a curious town settled between moving slopes and thick backwoods, a phenomenal romantic tale unfurled, opposing the limits of time. This is the story of Amelia and Evan, whose adoration rose above many years, making due despite everything and advising us that a few bonds are genuinely timeless.
ABHIJIT BHOWMICKPublished about 4 hours ago in ChaptersPotential
This has become a reoccurring behavior, staying up late at night, thinking about someone that might never look my way. But Daniel Achebe was it all, everything I wanted. 99% of us girls in SS2B had a crush on him and I was the least of them all if we were to be rated. Everytime I thought of him a smile unzipped on my face, stretching from cheek to cheek, I wouldn’t even be able to shake off the burning sensation on my face. The feeling is so incredible, I could literally feel electric surges in my vein, my stomach tightening to knots, incredible, just incredible.
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My Daily Life as a Person with a Mental Disability
This is a story about my daily life as a person with a mental disability. I am at the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong, Philippines. While waiting for my sister's psychiatric examination, I decided to make the most of my time by consulting a psychiatrist myself. I thought that if I could get a PWD (Persons with Disabilities) ID for discounts, I could help ease the financial burden on my mother and sister. I am currently unemployed and often judged by people because of it. Many people like me cannot work due to various circumstances, and I wish judgmental individuals could understand how it feels.
"The Lost Baby"
Sarah's world revolved around her baby boy, Jack. She had always been a devoted mother, cherishing every moment with him. But one fateful day, her life took a devastating turn. While shopping at the mall, Sarah momentarily turned her attention away from Jack's stroller, and in that split second, he vanished.
Isra SaleemPublished about 9 hours ago in ChaptersThe Gadget
Dr. Sophia Patel, a renowned physicist, stumbled upon an unusual device in the depths of her laboratory. It was an intricate gadget with flashing lights and strange symbols etched onto its surface. She had no recollection of creating it, and yet, it seemed to be emitting a peculiar energy signal.
Isra SaleemPublished about 9 hours ago in Chapters"The Seaside Cottage"
Emily had always been drawn to the sea. As a child, she would spend hours gazing out at the waves, dreaming of far-off lands and adventures. So, when she inherited a small seaside cottage from a great aunt she had never met, she knew it was the perfect opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
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I cannot remember if I first read Sid's story, or he read my story first. But he never fails to drop by and read my scribbles. I do my best to catch up by scrolling about to find his stories too.
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Water bottles have become a ubiquitous accessory in our daily routines, offering convenience and hydration on the go. But amidst the sea of options, one standout has emerged: the Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler with Lid and Straw. In this blog, we'll explore how this innovative tumbler redefines the hydration experience, blending functionality, style, and sustainability in a single vessel.
Alend GulayPublished about 18 hours ago in ChaptersWeight
If I had to choose one song as the soundtrack of my life, it'd be Bruce Brubaker's "Mad Rush", all 16 minutes and 58 seconds of it on loop. At least for this last year of my life. This year has been full of beauty, drama, confusion, excitement, and tears. Lots and lots of tears. And even now, I can't escape the tears. Every emotion you name I've felt, and Mad Rush captures all of that. That's what I put on before I pull off. I'm not even sure where to go, but I think a ride downtown would at least provide me with lights and a great view.
C. A. ElizabethPublished about 23 hours ago in ChaptersChapter 3: A Tale of Canadian Oddities
Emma had lived in Canada for years, but even after all that time, her fellow Canadians never ceased to surprise her. The quirky traditions and customs she encountered added an unexpected charm to her life in the Great White North. From the bizarre to the endearing, here are some of the things that make Canada truly unique.
Mike TaylorPublished a day ago in Chapters