literature
Families and literature go hand in hand; fictional families to entertain, reflect and inspire.
The Miracle
The star flew crossed the sky as Sheri stood looking out her window, she could hear the rooftop party across the way she sighed ask she couldn't remember the last time she was able to get dressed go out and have fun. She hadn't gone out on a date in years and ever since the pandemic lockdowns it seemed like the social scene was a distant dream, she went back to her desk rubbing her eyes as she sat at the computer to get back to work. Flipping open her black notebook full of scribbled notes highlights doodles tabs but this was her business in the natural she was typing the outlines for her projects onto the organization planner she had so she could stay on schedule. Meetings, conference calls, recording podcasts writing up a blog post, creating PowerPoint making product mockups, and production meetings. But what was it all with if she had no life, her work became her prison and she longed to have file again glancing out the window at the party across the way she sighed again straightening up and adjusting her glasses slipping back into her rabbit hole of work while numbing her mind with a mix if smooth-jazz, neo-soul, and worship music the show must go on.
By Tajma Cameron6 years ago in Families
From A Father's Perspective
Elliot hated coffee. He always found people's obsession with it odd. The only benefit he could think of was the way it warmed him up a little as he wrapped his hands around the mug and looked out the foggy diner window. Watching the sun beam down on his Jeep as it sat alone in the parking lot. There was no question why he was the only one there, it was a dusty old diner that didn't make it out of the fifties. And as he looked at his phone again to see it was still twelve-fifteen he decided that it was this place that made time feel as if time stood still or maybe the coffee was getting to him.
By Soroya Violet6 years ago in Families
A Kindred Outsider
My mother was Janie Lee. I neva knew my Paw. They say I got 2 brothers, but I ain't never did know them my whole life. All I know'd is Massah and Madame Laura tell me what to fix morning and supper, and to see 'bout the house. I makes real good sure to tend to the house, 'cause I don't want no lashes like they been know'd to hand out at will. Massah run off to go fight. He been gone quite some time now. I see Madame don't much know what to do wit herself since Massah ain't 'round to hear her fuss and moan. She liable to carry on such a fuss about just ol' anythang. She say, "Ruby Lee!! Get down here now!!" I fix to call on her as soon as I can, and when I get there, she look at me like she don't quite know what she want yet. So, I stays close by 'til she figure what's next. Mama told me while ago, when I was a young chillun, "...if you stay on the ready, you can save yo'self." Madame like to makin' quilts and thangs, but they don't look too fit to be sold. One side don't fit the otha...but she stay quiet in her chair when she sew. Since Massah been gone, that's 'bout all she do. I can hear her comin' down the hall and the wicker squeak. Then I hear her drop the basket on the flo' next to her chair. She look at me a while like I done some thangs to her, but I just tries to keep her settled. When Massah ain't lookin' she may just haul off and slap me fa no reason I understand. I wonder when Massah be back. Mama Janie up and passed a while back before the harvest come in. She gone...but she stay with me in my heart all the day long. I can smell cherry oak like it's set ablaze. Madame say it's gunfire from that war over yonder. Ain't been much o' nobody come to the house since the war started. Except for that fancy lawyer. He come 'bout a week before Massah left, seem like ages ago now. I sleeps up in the attic. Can't much stretch my feets and legs out, and it give me trouble when the crickets wake me up before daybreak. Madame must miss Massah mighty bad. She ain't lookin' quite like she do most days, but she still look at me cold and dark in the eyes. But, I look again today and she ain't moved out her chair one bit. I lean close and see'd she ain't got no breath in her no mo'. I brush her hand and it's just as cold as her eyes. I believe Madame don' gone on home to be with the Lord, if he'll have her. Just as I was fixin' to carry her out and clean things up nice for Massah, that fancy lawyer come callin'. He say Massah died in that war, and I is free to go on about my way. He say he got people to take care of Madame. I say, "FREE?!" He say real nervous like, "Yeah. Ruby, you free." I grabbed Madame's handbasket, and in such a tremble it dropped on the floor. The bottom fell out, and a little black book. That fancy lawyer picked up the book, and was reading it. He asked, "Can you read?" I say, "Some, Sir.". He hand it to me. I see, "On this 27th day of March 1861, I declare in the event of my death, I leave my house, all property, 168 acres of farmable land, 6 horses, 2 mules, $20,000 and noteable assets to my living heir, and only daughter: Ruby Lee". That fancy lawyer shook like a leaf outdoors on the tree. I shake with my mouf hung open right wit him...look like I know'd my Paw all along.
By Shibon Jones 6 years ago in Families
Dream Journal
Blinking, taking in the light, Anna Hayes entered the dream realm. A bright swirling of color overwhelmed her, and she brought up her weathered hand to shield her wrinkled face. Anna’s eyes finally adjusted to the dazzling scenery, and she was surprised to see it was familiar. She was in the forest behind her meager cabin. Anna couldn’t see her home from here, but she would know these trees anywhere. She looked around cautiously, wondering what she was doing so far from civilization. Normally Anna wouldn’t stray so far from the town; it was dangerous in the woods, especially for a frail woman such as herself. A tugging on Anna’s skirt startled her, and she looked down to see a young boy at her feet, staring up at her. Instantly, she recognized him as the face that haunted every dream she’d had for as long as she could remember. Anna had never met the boy in reality as far as she knew, she didn’t even know if he was real. Nevertheless, she’d dreamed of him every night.
By Autumn Gerbrandt6 years ago in Families
Figuring it Out
Camryn was exhausted. Her brain was overwhelmed with an abundance of worries. Surely what she had needed was some money. A sense of security. I mean... in the state of this world? Who didn’t. Hell, no matter what the state of the world is in... we all must admit that we absolutely adore it and rabidly hunger for it. A big huge wad of cash to fan ourselves with. A splendid dream. Especially after finding out there's a baby on its way.
By mariah rose6 years ago in Families
The Book of Levi
A match strike. Sulphur hangs in the air. Moishe’s hands, their lines deepened by time, cradle me. Fingers stroke the gold lettering pressed into my black cover. My leathered edges relax into the warmth of his hands. His reverent fingertips run the length of my words like when he first touched my pages when I was handed to him by his father. The long, black ink lines on my pages are the transcendent link between this moment on earth and the heavenly infinite.
By Heather Lustig-Curran6 years ago in Families
Moleskine and Jam
Carla had scoured every stationary shop in Biars-sur-Cère for the simple yet durable pocket notebook she had come to rely upon in her almost decade of literary prowess: a 9x14 cm. dotted hard cover easily stowable at a moment’s notice into her grandfather’s dilapidated Italian leather messenger bag she refused to replace despite years of judgmental eyes.
By ANITA RACHELLE6 years ago in Families
Another Chance
Part of me wishes I could go back as the person I am today, and stop what happened from ever happening in the first place. Although then I wouldn’t be sitting here writing this story at all, I’d likely have remained the same person I once was. I guess everyone was right about the whole hindsight thing after all.
By Sierra Mann6 years ago in Families
Leaving Lego, Loss, and Ligature Points
The internal surface area of my home is an active minefield. Camouflaged, a stealth dagger caught me forgetting slippers in my hurry to feed Benji. I stifle a howl, managing not to curse, but I can’t be the only parent who’s let a “shit” or a “dammit” slip out after stepping on yet another Lego piece.
By The Dani Writer6 years ago in Families
