Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Owl Angel
As I lay in my bed, gazing up at the ceiling, I used to wonder what it would be like to be in outer space. I would often wonder if there was life beyond earth. I even wondered if there was another planet out there like earth. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has these thoughts from time to time. If we really dug deep into this theory, I’d almost bet you there is some truth to our conspiracies.
By Denecia Andrews6 years ago in Families
The Darkened Room
Everything in Geode’s body told him to run, but his body wouldn’t comply. He’d only meant to consider, not to touch. What a disaster he’d wrought by not keeping his hands to himself. Aunt Petra, who’d raised him from the age of three, always told him that looking never involved hands, and that he wouldn’t get into trouble if he never touched things that weren’t his. But they were so interesting that it couldn’t be helped. And thus began his troubles.
By Steve Savage6 years ago in Families
Before she was Here.
Claudine held her breath as she slid out of the room. She was extra careful not to step on the creaky floor board just across the threshold. This was her sixth night sneaking out past curfew. So far, she’d run into no problem at all, but that didn’t stop her tiny heart from pounding beneath her nightgown. Now safely out of the dormitory, Claudine moved quickly. Excitement flushed her cheeks. The rate at which she moved may have caused more of a commotion if she were someone of a larger stature, but the bobbing blonde head sat atop a child’s body. This girl was no more than 4 years old. Her bare feet padded softly over the cold and aged stones of the main hallway. This place, with its long grey shadows, was becoming familiar to her, though she wasn’t sure how long she had been Here. It was longer than someone her age could keep track of and she was beginning to forget what life was like Before. Fear pricked at her neck and water threatened her eyes. Claudine shook her head violently. She didn’t understand why she was Here but she knew she was on a mission.
By Samantha Kaszas6 years ago in Families
The Other Side
The fluorescent lights were really starting to get to him. It was a no-brainer, really...the thought that a hospital was the last place on earth one would want to find himself for days at a time.The constant flickering of the TVs, the empty, sterile hallways...the predictable footsteps of the nighttime nurses. Sometimes he would find himself emerging from a hazy dream- waking just enough to look at the clock and wonder how long he’d gone without a good night’s sleep- to be greeted by the familiar sound of those footsteps, and have his eyes assaulted by all that glaring artificial light.
By Shelby Lang6 years ago in Families
The Grace Of Miriam
My late father was a falconer, and wherever the harris hawks would fly, they would always travel back to his gauntlet and perch. Inspired, I dreamed of that very title. However, I became a life insurance salesman — a cardboard cut out and could fit into the American dream. Although I was unhappy, I forgave myself for my lackluster, and married the brightest-smiling redhead that ever graced the earth. Her aspirations flew higher than any winged creature, her spirit outgrown her environment like dandelions and her decisiveness multiplied like sweet alyssums in heat.
By Nikie Decay6 years ago in Families
Pie baking hands.
I wish I had my grandmother hands: Pie-baking hands, nimble hands that could mend or make anything. They were soft and smooth and always made me feel better. It's probably because she cooked with butter and tasted everything she made. She said that was the trick. The key to why no one could replicate her food. She said it was full of love and her saliva. We made the face of disgust in her direction and all she said was, "Do you wanna eat your momma;s gravy or mine?" We all knew no matter how hard my momma tried, she couldn't make gravy. That's the day I learned to make food with love and taste everything. Never over salt. "Let them ruin their own food she'd say."
By April Johnson6 years ago in Families
A Mother's Flight
Athena was no stranger to loss. As the mirror of her husband’s eyes closed on her for the final time, she cursed the obtusity of the human race. Rat poison! Her white, heart shaped face betrayed the red rage of her anger, and her feathers ruffled and shivered at the memory of his last desperate breath. With Merlin gone, and her clutch having flown the nest, Athena found herself alone.
By Laura Brown 6 years ago in Families
Aumakua
“Mama wake up, you’re dreaming again… “I saw a white owl …” “Yes, yes mama but you’ve got to get ready for senior citizens your ride will be here in a little while!” It was the highlight of the day for my 82-year-old mom to meet with her friends, she would be missed by her centenarian friends if they did not see her smile today. “Mama, I’ve got a lot to do today, please try your best to get ready quickly”. Going on eight months now …we had established a routine that was working for the two of us. At first it was hard; we both did not plan on her living with me in Barstow. California was far from either of our plans. But here we are. I have second guessed my decision to keep her with me, but I could not let her go back to Samoa without medical support. Who was going to follow up on her cancer, her chemo treatments? My siblings were hesitant to let her stay with me, but I was always the one being the older to make all the decisions. It was decided and that was that. Occasionally she would ask me when she was going back home and I would have to explain to her “Mama, you are with me now, you’re not going back. Please do not miss home so much, we will be happy together, okay?!”
By Nyla Makaiwi Lolotai6 years ago in Families
The Mouse and the Barn Owl
Carrie was sick of the snow. Two days of shivering and nearly starving were plenty. Had she not skillfully removed the cheese wedge from the mouse trap, she would have starved. She could tell by the cramps and pains that labor was close at hand. To add to her misery, a barn owl had made its way into the barn.
By Jim Clevenger6 years ago in Families
