Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Humans.
Wiping My Face of Society
'Our normal expectations about reality are created by social consensus. We are taught how to see and understand the world. The trick of socialization is to convince us that the descriptions we agree upon define the limits of the real world. What we call reality is only one way of seeing the world, a way supported by social consensus.' - Carlos Casteneda
By Brooke Jarvis7 years ago in Humans
Curse of the Secret Santa
The lights. The blinking lights flashing green and red, alternating in duration, yet somehow in sync, clearly the difference maker. The lights illuminate the season. The smell of pine fills the air as I pass the rows of wreath and tree vendors. With several packages in hand, I struggle through the streets of New York feeling the brisk cool air, evidenced through my foggy breath. Yup, tis the season. It’s Christmas time. Whenever I casually walk the city streets, I always experience incidental bumping by New Yorkers seemingly in a hurry - typical. Now, there are shoppers with bags upon bags of gifts no one will ever use. I too am on that same quest except for me it’s a tradition that invokes a curse. This curse is not one conjured by a witch or warlock but one that was self-imposed, unwittingly through my own selfish, childish actions. Only after the third or fourth year as an adult did I realize I was under said curse. Some may call it retribution. Some may call it a well-deserved boomerang effect. I call it quite simply: The Curse of the Secret Santa.
By Tomas Alejandro7 years ago in Humans
Retribution: Chapter 14
On Afternoon in late July, Catharine made her way to the building where her sister Mimi lived. She was dressed in black because that day she had made her monthly visit to the grave of her second husband, Bernard Mathieu, at Père Lachaise. It was a hike across town that she made more out of duty than any sentimentality. Bernard had died three years prior in the arms of his fat Dutch mistress not that Catharine had given a damn about that because he had left all of his money to her and her daughters. He had never been a faithful husband. Only two weeks after their wedding she had found out that he was sleeping with his busty Belgian secretary, full figured women from the Low Countries had been his personal kink, but Catharine had married him simply because he was rich and could provide her her and her girls. Catharine was not the most affectionate of mothers but she always made sure Mathilde and Agnès lived comfortably which to her was as good a proof of motherly love as any. She considered Bernard Mathieu the better of her two husbands.
By Rachel Lesch7 years ago in Humans
Staying Together for the Kids
The picture above is what is considered the 'norm' and is referred to as a nuclear family. A nuclear family consists of Mom, Dad, and two kids. Why one, three or more kids would be a problem I don't understand, but let's leave that to the experts. A nuclear family is what is considered the 'ideal' for raising well-adjusted, healthy and happy children. Some argue that keeping the family structure together is of the utmost importance. I argue that this is total bull***t. Not only can I speak from personal experience, as a child whose parents 'stayed together for the kids', but having completed a psychology degree I've come across a lot of research that supports it. These are some, just some, of the reasons why divorce can sometimes be a blessing.
By The 'A' Girl7 years ago in Humans
Samurai Badger
Mr. Badger liked his bed. Of course, he loved his wife, but his bed was what he loved the most. He had a long-lived affair with his bed. Who could blame him? He dedicated sixty years of his life towards the creative arts and child welfare. When he wore his Salvation Army uniform for the last time, he envisioned a quiet life by the countryside.
By Chloe Gilholy7 years ago in Humans
The True Reality of Closure
Closure is defined as bringing things to an end or conclusion. That at times is easier said than done especially in this day and age. Most people crave closure in cases of relationships ending or failing, losing friends, or even the death of loved ones. Understandably obtaining closure is a lot easier acquired in the situation of a loved one passing simply for the fact that everyone wants and desires to make peace with those they have mistreated in their final moments. However, that doesn't always make it easy or simple to handle.
By Jennifer Jorgenson7 years ago in Humans