literature
Families and literature go hand in hand; fictional families to entertain, reflect and inspire.
A Different Day
She didn’t know it yet, but today would be a different day. For most people, each day is naturally a little different but for her, the seven days of the week had meshed into two. Today was Weekday, the day before Not Weekday. She had woken up just like every other day. She woke up before him, quietly, he needs his sleep. She made him breakfast just like every other day. She made him coffee, eggs, and toast, quickly, he deserves to come downstairs to breakfast ready, he had “real work” unlike her. She kissed him goodbye just like every other day. But today would be a different day.
By Wolé Marville Sr.5 years ago in Families
Little Grave Robber
Well, Stumpy Sheen sat barefooted and sun-kissed under the weeping willow in Tullamore cemetery for the 5th day in a row. The child had a novel in one hand, and a pink lady apple in the other, a lost look crossing her youthful features. Children walking by the cemetery grated sticks against the iron pickets that separated themselves from Stumpy and the land of the dead, rarely sparing a glance at the weird girl, alone, on the wrong side of the fence.
By Brydie Comiskey5 years ago in Families
Hope is the Thing with Feathers
Urgent, terse whispers trickled their way through the warped floorboards above Maya’s head. She rolled over, frowning, and batted them away- but they insisted, wrapping around the shells of her ears, seeping into hazy, confused dreams of shadows and stars. It’s gone, it’s been taken. Are you sure he left it there? Maybe he was confused. No, it’s gone, and whoever took it is a dead man walking.
By Lily Wilson5 years ago in Families
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 Cameron5 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 Violet5 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 5 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 Gerbrandt5 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 rose5 years ago in Families
