fact or fiction

Is it fact or merely fiction? Fact or Fiction explores the myths and beliefs we hold about our family dynamics, traditions, and if there's such thing as a 'perfect family.'

The First Riverview Avenue Bench
Originally posted May 8, 2020 on my blog, Penz-O-Paula I was still reeling from the big six-zero birthday on the 4th, and decided I needed a fun distraction. Here it is.
By Paula Shablo5 years ago in Families
Abigail
It was the utter lack of heat that had been the worst bit, Abigail thinks as she leans against her wall with the glass tumbler pressed against her ear. It had been an awful year, she thinks. Talk about an understatement. Half the world’s population was wiped out almost overnight by Covid-25.
By Shawn Ingram5 years ago in Families
Teens today: The ongoing racism in society
Now let me just tell you this. First, the amount of racism that is still happening in this world is unspeakable. The teen world is crazy; we are surrounded by social media platforms that make it so easy for other people to make hateful comments without being identified. We are also in a confined space at school where some people decide it’s ok to say racist things. Now, this isn’t the case everywhere but it’s so common. Is this issue really being addressed?
By Lola Hopper5 years ago in Families
Where the Sun Meets the Water
The sun set beyond the horizon and twilight was approaching over the open ocean. The remaining rays of light left streaks of orange in the sky, the water now darker than a denim blue. The contrast appeared to create a line on the horizon, broken only by the silhouetted mass of the schooner one mile ahead. The pointed heads of the sails created a peak in the line, resembling the graph of a man's heartbeat in his dying breath.
By Tom Nowak5 years ago in Families
The Fabulous Table Lady Of Atlantic City Part 2
“Is that a motorized operating table?” As the police car rushed up the boardwalk, Kate B, my mother, pulled me out of the way. We had just moments before been treated to an array of entertainment featuring a lineup of the strangest performers I had ever seen, the centerpiece of the whole enterprise being the Fabulous Table Lady of Atlantic City, she who was leading a group disco dance as she lay stomach down and limbless on a medical table while simultaneously playing a Casio organ with her tongue.
By John Bowen5 years ago in Families
Bringing Big Pete Home
“What do you mean ‘How’s Mom?’ She’s still dying Peter, that’s how she is.” Peter winced at his sister’s barking tone. He should have known better than to call Jessica. He never knew what to say to her, but he always knew it would be exactly wrong. Still, he had to try to make a connection with her; he needed to get someone from the family on his side.
By Judey Kalchik 5 years ago in Families
Happily Never After
This was it. I was finally getting married. I couldn’t believe it! It was my big day. I had to pull an arm and a leg to get my boyfriend to propose. I had to pay off $30,000 of student debt just so he’d pull out a ring and get down on one knee.
By Maddie M.5 years ago in Families
That Ship Has Sailed
She sat in the clinic sobbing, struggling to catch her breath. Julie had just told her husband that she was finally pregnant three days ago. They were both so happy. She even waited 2 weeks until she couldn't bare to keep her bubbling elation a secret any longer. Julie wanted to make sure it was safe, before she told James about the baby. Last time nearly destroyed them.
By Wendy Sanders5 years ago in Families
Wooden Sail
One day, long ago, a little boy made a little sailing boat out of an old wooden shoe, using a piece of old cloth as a sail.
By NaQuita McKnight5 years ago in Families
Heart of Hearts
My heart is promised to be stoned—frozen for eternity. I still find myself trying to love. I find myself searching for the maybes in my story.
By Aida Fakhry5 years ago in Families
The Diary of my Anne Bonny
I have always been obsessed with pirates, ever since I was a little girl I have used every suitable occasion to dress up as one. Birthdays, Halloween and of course fancy dress parties. Simply any excuse to throw on my pirate slacks and shout 'shiver me timbers' In possibly the worst pirate impression you have ever heard but I didn't care. I was convinced I wasn't just dressing up, I really was a pirate. But, that in short was down to my Great Grandfather and his tales.
By Kayleigh Taylor5 years ago in Families
Distant Ship's Smoke
My great uncle Jack never told me much in the way of details about his near drowning when I saw him in the summer of '21. I've researched the events leading up to and culminating with his drowning in our timeline, though, so I never really pressed him for details of what it must have been like to survive, when many on the ship hadn't.
By Tom Cooley5 years ago in Families