Love
Like Letters Written in the Sand Part Fifteen
“I miss the little things most.” Anna-leis hugged Clarence tightly. Though she still struggled with the prosthetics, sometimes standing was worth it. “I miss the feeling of sand beneath my feet. “It’s funny how something that used to annoy me now makes me smile.”
By Michelle Renee Kidwell2 years ago in Fiction
The Homecoming
Chapter One Sasha stepped into the cool, dim hallway of her apartment building, the faint scent of freshly baked bread still lingering in the air from the bakery she had just left. She gripped a bag of pastries in one hand and a green juice in the other, coily hair shifting with her every movement. It was a brief but soothing stop in her otherwise hectic day. As she approached her mailbox, the old wood and brass doors seemed to creak under the weight of their history, just like the building itself. She slid her key into the slot, turning it with a sense of routine, and found nothing but a thick stack of bills waiting for her.
By Farida Kakonde2 years ago in Fiction
The Rise and Fall of Kiran Malhotra
Once upon a time in the bustling city of Mumbai, there was a young boy named Kiran Malhotra, born into modest beginnings. His father, Arjun Malhotra, was a humble textile merchant who dreamed of giving his sons a life beyond the confines of their two-room apartment in a crowded neighborhood.
By Mary Emmanuel2 years ago in Fiction
A Chase to Remember (Marked by Love). Content Warning.
Giusi Eligio had never imagined that ten years of marriage could end with just a signature. Two weeks ago, his wife left with the kids, and since then, he’d been hovering, lost in the silence of an empty home. However, he still had to go to work. After all, he had to earn a living.
By Ina Zeneli2 years ago in Fiction
First Salary
I have been waiting for this day. Today is the day my son gets his first paycheck, and he told us there is a surprise for us. My husband may not know what that might be, but I know this mother is his favorite, so it is definitely a gift for me — or at least that’s what I thought. But after seeing it, I was really surprised. Before I tell you what the surprise is, I have to share a story first.
By Arjun Sahasya2 years ago in Fiction
Puzzzle. Top Story - January 2025.
The package arrived on her doorstep sometime in the night, and was waiting on the step when she opened the door to take Taco, her late husband’s tiny dog, out for a walk. It was wrapped in brown paper, and bore her first name, Amelia. No last name. And no return address.
By Laura DePace2 years ago in Fiction
The Photograph
Sarah stared at the photograph on her phone, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips. It was a candid shot: her two sons, eight-year-old Leo and six-year-old Finn, nestled comfortably in Emily’s lap, their faces flushed with the happy exhaustion of a long track meet. Emily, her ex-husband Mark’s fiancée, had an arm draped casually around them, her own smile warm and genuine.
By Tales by J.J.2 years ago in Fiction
Childhood Love
The sound of laughter filled the air, mingling with the rustling leaves and the occasional chirp of a cricket. Summers in our little neighborhood always seemed magical, as if time slowed down just for us. Among the crowd of children running about, one face stood out to me, even then – her name was Mia. With her unruly curls and a mischievous grin, she was the sun in my otherwise ordinary days. We met when we were six. I had just moved into the neighborhood, clutching my favorite toy truck and feeling small amidst the newness. My parents nudged me toward the group of kids playing hopscotch, but I hesitated. That’s when Mia marched up to me, a trail of confidence in her wake. “Hi, I’m Mia. Want to play?” It was simple, really. No introductions, no pleasantries, just an offer of friendship. Before I knew it, she was pulling me toward her world of chalk-drawn castles and make-believe dragons. She handed me a stick of blue chalk and declared, “You’re the prince today. Save me from the dragon!” From that day on, we were inseparable. Mia and I built forts, shared secrets, and painted the world with our imaginations. She had a knack for finding adventure in the most mundane places. An empty cardboard box wasn’t just trash; it was a spaceship bound for the stars. A rainy day wasn’t gloomy; it was a chance to hunt for worms and pretend we were scientists. As we grew older, the adventures evolved. By the time we were ten, we had a “clubhouse” – an old treehouse in her backyard. We spent hours there, swapping stories and dreaming about the future. Mia wanted to be an artist, her notebooks always filled with colorful sketches. I, on the other hand, aspired to be an inventor, scribbling ideas for contraptions that never quite worked. “One day, you’ll invent something amazing,” she told me, her voice full of certainty. “And I’ll paint it.” Her faith in me was unshakable, and I, in turn, admired her boundless creativity. She was the kind of person who could make you believe in magic. But life, as it often does, had other plans. When we turned thirteen, my family announced that we were moving to a different state. The news hit me like a thunderbolt. I remember sitting on the steps of the treehouse, my chest heavy with the weight of impending goodbyes. “You’re leaving?” Mia’s voice was small, her usual spark dimmed. I nodded, unable to meet her eyes. For a moment, there was silence. Then, without warning, she grabbed my hand and said, “Wait here.” She disappeared into the house and returned minutes later with a shoebox. Inside were trinkets from our adventures: a feather from the “rare bird” we had spotted at the park, a pebble from our “secret” hideout, and a bundle of her drawings. “This is for you,” she said, placing the box in my lap. “So you don’t forget.” “I could never forget you,” I whispered, my voice cracking. The day I moved away, Mia stood on the sidewalk, waving until our car disappeared around the corner. I clutched the shoebox tightly, tears streaming down my face. Years passed, and life marched on. We tried to stay in touch, writing letters at first, but as high school and responsibilities took over, the letters grew infrequent. Eventually, they stopped altogether. I missed her terribly, but I convinced myself it was just part of growing up. It wasn’t until a decade later, during a visit to my old neighborhood, that I saw her again. The treehouse was gone, replaced by a neatly trimmed backyard. I stood there, reminiscing, when a familiar voice called out. “Ryan?” I turned, and there she was. Mia. Her curls were shorter, and her face more mature, but her smile was exactly as I remembered. We stood there, frozen in time, before she ran up and hugged me. Over coffee, we caught up on the years we had missed. She had become an artist, just as she had dreamed, her work displayed in galleries across the state. I shared stories of my inventions, now no longer just sketches in a notebook. It was as if no time had passed, our bond as strong as ever. Before I left, she handed me a small painting. It was a watercolor of a boy and a girl sitting in a treehouse, the sky above them filled with stars. “For old times’ sake,” she said, her eyes twinkling. Childhood love is a rare and precious thing. It’s innocent, untainted by the complexities of the adult world. For Mia and me, it was a foundation, a reminder of who we were and what mattered most. And though life had taken us on different paths, the memories we created would forever be etched in our hearts, like crayon drawings on a weathered piece of paper.
By INFO INSIDER 2 years ago in Fiction
Eternal Tigress(Chapter 3&4)
-Chapter 3 Julia could not remember more of the encounter as she sat up upon her bed breathing heavily. Her gasp for air and disturbance had awakened Valentina who slumbered nearby in the imperial bedroom of the Dushka Palace. Valentina, the Queen's lady-in-waiting, was just seven years older than Julia. Valentina had become her trusted best human friend. She had been loyal to her Queen since Julia was age eleven. Sir Alexander hand picked Valentina to be the Queen's lady anticipating Julia blossoming into a beautiful young maiden. There was no doubt that Julia would develop to be a true reflection of her mother, former Queen Yelena. Regent Sir Alexander took his duty seriously in caring, grooming, preparing and advising young Queen Julia in the absence of his brother, King Radimir. Regent took pride in his own title and duty to the country of Novaland. Its bountiful forest offered protection and a close country with good, easy people to govern. Tucked away and forgotten by the modern world gave their country a magical charm.
By First name Andie2 years ago in Fiction
