Holiday
The Boarding Pass
I stood in line and pressed my fingers together then bent my hands at the knuckle pulling palms apart, stretching the tight ligaments and muscles around my metacarpals. One by one I stretched each finger, pausing only to grab my suitcase and move forward a step or two each time the queue progressed. I watched the wave of slow but constant movement through the line of people, the perpetual forward motion serpentined in a way that looked almost melodic. I massaged the palm of my hands then rolled my shoulders and neck, sighing with the subtle release of tension. I reached the end of the queue and handed my passport to the TSA agent, who scanned it intently, then said gruffly, “Why Christmas in Pennsylvania?”
By A. Crossan2 years ago in Fiction
An Unsentimental Christmas Celebration
In a world steeped in the sentimental glow of twinkling lights, warm embraces, and the ever-present jingle of holiday tunes, there exists a space for those who dare to celebrate Christmas with a touch of realism—an Unsentimental Christmas Celebration. Amid the festive frenzy, where sentimentality often reigns supreme, this alternative approach beckons with a promise of simplicity, practicality, and an unfiltered view of the holiday season.
By Ali Raza (Story Bard)2 years ago in Fiction
Movies for the Season: Soul Food
Entertainment has always had a knack for setting the tone for the holidays, especially when it comes to music and film. When talking about Thanksgiving one of the best movies to emphasize the importance of family and why we should be thankful for its foundation is Soul Food.
By Joe Patterson2 years ago in Fiction
Until Hell Freezes Over
🎄🎄🎄 Leather couches can be hard, cold, or inviting. Today, it was cold. Ten years had passed since my Lori died. My daughter Joni was away at dental school, preparing to succeed my practice. The mantle clock ticked the seconds as two words racked my mind. What next? Ramee, the hound curled on the couch beside me, remained silent.
By J. S. Wade2 years ago in Fiction
Rainy days
The city lay beneath a blanket of gray clouds, as if the heavens themselves had opened up to release a cascade of liquid music. Raindrops, like delicate notes of a piano, tapped against windows and danced upon the streets, transforming the mundane into a symphony of sound and rhythm. Streets glistened with reflections of city lights, and the air carried a petrichor scent, as if the earth exhaled in relief.
By Prasanna S2 years ago in Fiction
Deck The Halls
Brody hated Christmas. Well, maybe ‘hated’ was a strong term. He strongly disliked Christmas. He didn’t have some tragic story about being neglected on the family-focused holiday. His parents always got him and his older siblings plenty of presents and his mom and sister always prepared a huge feast that left them sleeping on the floor for the rest of the afternoon.
By Katie Tuttle2 years ago in Fiction
