literature
Families and literature go hand in hand; fictional families to entertain, reflect and inspire.
The Silver Skies of Spring
Dear Mother, It has been months since we last spoke. I have heard over the years your disappointment, in me, in the two of us, in everything that has ever defined what kept us attached to one another. I write today the details of what I have already done. I wish for you to understand, I dare to demand that you accept.
By Anya Léa Tilley6 years ago in Families
To Collect
The first thing I remember noticing about my grandfather was that he seemed to be perpetually of place. The adults in my life wore regular clothes, jeans, t-shirts, and occasionally suits for funerals and business, but aside from the occasional tie-dyed hippie in the Arts district or Skid Row, the clothing patterns in my life were the same. Grandpa Joseph, on the other hand, always seemed to have just walked out of a time machine from 1949, impeccably dressed in a pinstripe or wool jacket, depending on the weather, a wide-brimmed fedora perfectly centered on his head, a tie, complete with tie pin and clip. And pants, always creased at the ankle, flowing naturally into patent leather Oxfords. I cannot think of a time when I did not hear the melodies of the Ink Spots or Frank Sinatra tumbling out into the street when we came for dinner, and I remember always scrambling out of the car and bolting into the house to see the walls, covered with photos of a time past, and smelling my grandfather’s aftershave in his study, hearing the rumble of his voice calling to me. "Come here Alex, Grandma has something for you to try."
By Elliot Cohen6 years ago in Families
Cruz-y
Cruz Tejeda sits in his poster heavy interior decorated room with his favorite music artists, skaters, Aztec art and photo of himself and his father when he was five years old. Both are smiling at a party, his father wearing an arrowhead pendant with a turquoise dot on the tip.
By Kevin Palafox6 years ago in Families
Heart Hugs
Early in the morning when I’m sitting in my third-grade classroom, usually after math class and during silent reading, I get a warm feeling, a cozy feeling, a feeling that I am loved. When this happens, I know that my grandmother, Gram, is taking her morning walk and has sent me a heart hug.
By Judith Hankes6 years ago in Families
Stagolee Rises
STAGOLEE RISES The day opens to a crisp sunny, yet slightly windy mid-summer day. The vernacular architecture is shown in clear sight as a mansion comes in to view on a Mississippi Plantation in 1856. The colors of the flowers and manicured yard surrounding the mansion comes in stark contrast to the whipping noise that draws the view away from the mansion to what seems to be just paces away, down a hill of rolling daises. A clearing around three large oak tress reveal a grassless trampled area.
By Nashid Madyun6 years ago in Families
In the Bag
We were drinking. We took the kids out to eat, a little hole-in-the-wall Mexican place that had cheap beer on tap and two-for-a dollar tacos. The kids loved it because the waiters wore ponchos and fake mustaches and talked in silly fake accents, and they got coloring sheets with little boxes of crayons. Shaun loved it because there were about a dozen TVs, all broadcasting a different football game. I loved it because it was dark and the kids got their coloring pages and Shaun was watching his sports and they all just left me alone to my thoughts for a while. But we were together…you know, family time.
By Oleander Ponders6 years ago in Families
Liam's Secret
“You should get dressed today, Eileen,” Lizzie said to her older sister, gently touching her shoulder. Eileen let out a sigh as she set her teacup down on the table. She knew Lizzie was trying, but nothing was going to make things any better. She really just wanted to be alone. She missed Liam terribly. She missed the way he added just the right amount of cream to her tea every morning. She missed his hugs. She missed how he would leave his work boots on the floor by the door every night after work. Lizzie had put them in the closet while tidying up for Eileen, but Eileen pulled them back out and set them down by the door. She wasn’t ready to put Liam’s things away yet.
By Mary B. Barbee6 years ago in Families
The Thief and the King
In the month of July, our condition was worsening. For each impoverished family that lived in the slums of Bengal during the draught of 1600 - only 2 cups of rice were to be permitted per day. I could no longer walk to the palace of the King, Ghulam Musaroor, the protagonist of this melancholy occasion, without absorbing the cries from children that lay next to dead mothers & fathers, ‘Babi! Babi! My mommy!’ from one side of the street. On the other side, bodies that lay like a winding array of fallen dominoes with stomachs that had dissolved to a thin layer of skin.
By Lewis Allsop6 years ago in Families
Her Hands
Today would be the day that this would happen. It wasn't like she hadn't tried this before. And usually, it led to the same results: come back next time. The lines had always been so long that by the time she got to the front, it was closed. Today was different; today she got in. The line to the Western Union wrapped around the corner, as it usually did. Mid-February, below-freezing temperatures at 11:30 am; what else would you expect from Chicago? Camila was prepared though. Doubled-up wool socks, two pairs of sweats, more sweaters than she could recall, topped off with an old coat, a beanie, and a pair of gloves. There was something different about today's attempt to get into Western Union and retrieve the money her sister had sent her. She had woken up 11:11 am, and as if Camila weren't superstitious enough, she rushed out of bed and got to the Western Union, thinking that unintentionally waking up at a time when some people make wishes would make her wish come true. "What's so special about 4 1's?" she thought to herself. But she didn't question it. If it could bring her luck, she'd believe in it.
By Alex Fernandez6 years ago in Families
