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.'
Now you're gone, mom
My mother’s face was always soft. She was one of those women who always was coiffed and manicured to perfection. Rouge lipstick, dark brown coloured short hair, perfect ruby red nails. Her skin smelled of a time-gone-by; a Bill Blass perfume she had always worn since her days living in the Pierre, New York when my grandfather was vice president of ABC.
By Jessica Patterson5 years ago in Families
Sunshine & Moonlight
Looking back, it was a simple action. I saw it lying there under the paint-chipped bus seat, half concealed by a plastic bag. I didn’t even think of it as an act of kindness, but more of just the right thing to do. It wasn’t old or terribly worn, but I could tell it had been around. Little did I know just how many hands it would someday touch, and how many hearts. How many tears might fall down onto its weathering cover. I turned it over in my hands, hopeful that a name might be inside. When I opened it, I saw neat cursive scrawled over the first page.
By Cherie Robidoux5 years ago in Families
Dear Dr. Seuss
August 10, 2015 Dear Dr. Seuss, When I was a child we talked about all the places I would go, where this head full of brain would tell my shoes full of feet where to go. I’m sorry to report Dr. Seuss, against your wise council, I got held up in the one place you most forewarned me against, the waiting place.
By U.B. Light5 years ago in Families
In case of loss, please return to:
Beads of sweat prickled Becca’s forehead as she crossed the street. Despite the radiating heat, she was relieved to escape from the heady scent of geranium and crisp air conditioning of the therapist's office. What a waste of time!
By Ali Ansell5 years ago in Families
Is Crazy Contagious?
At the end of the month, when Joanie came home from the hospital she was sweet and cheerful like she always was when she took her medicine. She was on something new, Depakote this time. She came home in someone else's clothes probably from the hospital lost and found or something someone donated, but it didn't matter. Joanie was a natural beauty.
By Robin Jessie-Green5 years ago in Families
126 Maple
“We have to let you go, John” his manager said, in a firm unwavering voice. "I understand" John said as he stared at the clock on the wall. It’s almost lunch time he thought to himself, He could hear the steady sound of the second hand ticking. “feel free to finish out the day” his manager said as John turned for the door. The ticking sound slowly faded as it was being drowned out by office chatter. John did understand because he has been here before. This always happens on a Friday, John thought to himself as he placed the last of his belongings neatly into the white file box. This time there would be no awkward goodbyes, he just did not have the strength. The entire office was now making their way over to the breakroom to sing happy birthday to a coworker. This was John’s chance to get away. He was not going to finish out the day. Slinging his worn leather satchel over his shoulder, he grabbed the box and hurried to the elevator.
By John Taylor5 years ago in Families
Hidden History
On my twelfth birthday, everything was turned upside down. Up until then, I had lived the quiet, boring life of a peasant girl in the Kingdom of Dutton. I loved our beautiful countryside of sprawling, lush greens and an array of colorful wildflowers. Growing up on my grandparent’s farm, I’d always spent hours playing outside and running around in the vast greenery. My mother was always busy attending to the crops, while my grandfather took care of the cattle. My father was a blacksmith and would leave early in the mornings to his shop, returning just before dinner.
By Danielle Ricciardi5 years ago in Families
I'll Know It When I See It
“I’ll know it when I see it.” I look up and over my shoulder, and realize with a start that it was only a memory of my grandfather’s voice. I am browsing a rummage sale, my hand lightly grazing the tops of old books, but I’m not really looking at anything. I remember these sales, a Sunday tradition of my grandfather’s. It feels like I am ten years old again.
By Christina Blanchette5 years ago in Families
Bad Girl House
Returning to school in January of 1996, for my second semester of college, I was hoping to find my friend Connie sometime during the day. We eventually did find each other, and it made me feel good to have someone to sit with during my breaks between classes. Soon after the semester began, a few people from her public speaking class came with her to the student union. One was a short, round fellow, who I think was close to our own age. The other was a short, fit, balding guy of twenty-six who I will call John. Keep in mind that I was still several months away from turning nineteen at this time. At first meeting, John seemed confident and charismatic, but at the same time no-nonsense. Like I normally did, when we hung out in the student union I just sat and listened to the people around me talk to each other. John complained about being penalized for missing classes when he had other responsibilities. He called them adult responsibilities. He talked about having commitments for his job and with his young son. From early on, these things illustrated his disrespect for any type of authority. He felt that he shouldn’t have to answer to his professors, and that he should be able to attend class when it was most convenient for him. It didn’t matter to him that he was required to attend his classes, and that not being there would impact his grades. I would imagine that he had extremely rude interactions with his teachers because of this. John also had plenty of nasty things to say about his ex-wife whenever he discussed his son. From the very first thing I ever heard him say about her, everything in their past was her fault. She was the reason that they were divorced. She was the reason that he didn’t see his son as often as he thought he should. She was the reason he had to pay child support that she wasn’t using the way he thought that she should.
By Kathy Sees5 years ago in Families
