He sat in the car staring at the house. He glanced at the clock. Ten thirty. That should be about right. He didn’t want to go inside too early, Beth was always in a foul mood when she cooked Thanksgiving dinner. He didn’t want to be too late, either, though. Then he would suffer her wrath for holding everything up [...]

The cart bounced as it descended further into the drift. Carl didn’t mind working underground. In fact, he enjoyed it. His mind turned to Bridgette, wondering where she was. It had now been exactly one week since she left. He thought about it regularly, especially on the rides into and out of the mine. She had always worried about him [...]

From up here the world looks so neat and orderly. The ground is sectioned off into various shapes, each a different shade of green or brown. Lights sparkle, highlighting the city areas. Roads twist and wind as they connect one cluster of lights to another. Is there a better place to be anywhere? But soon we will be landing and the [...]

“But I want to be a zombie!” “A zombie? Why? You’re nine. Can’t you be something cute – like a fairy or a cat? What about Cinderella?” “I could be a Cinderella zombie.” Mom rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips. “We are not buying zombie stuff. End of story. So either pick something else or let’s [...]

Ahoy Mateys! Welcome to the Shiver Me Timbers! Pirate Carnival. Monday, September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. To celebrate, we want to show off some of our treasure. If words be gold, then lay your eyes on the booty below. Have some treasure ye wish to share? Add your link below. Just about anything is welcome as [...]

“Unhand me, you scalawag! Who dares enter the captain’s quart..ers..” Captain Will’s voice trailed off as his eyes widened and his body stiffened. “I’d suggest ye shut your trap. You really don’t want any more visitors at the moment.” Will neither nodded nor spoke as he examined the creature before him. Its grip was surprisingly strong given that it had [...]

“You’re gonna be pulling hoses today. We’re pairing you up with Frank. Follow his lead.” Eli leaned in close and raised his voice to be heard over the siren’s wail. Neil nodded his head in understanding. “It sounds like we have a house fire.” Clark turned from the front seat as he spoke. “Possibly two people inside. You want to [...]

I try to be normal. So many days I put on a smile, or the nearest thing I can muster to it, and go out among others. I respond to inquiries and make idle chit chat as long as I can before shrinking back away from the crowds, hoping to be alone. Some days I laugh. Those are wonderful days [...]

“What exactly do you mean by ‘willful disdain’, Mrs. Johnson?” “Well, I mean that he goes out of his way to disrespect me.” She glanced over at the subject of their discussion, but he was looking at his feet. “He leaves his dirty clothes on the floor. On the floor! Can you believe that? It doesn’t matter if it’s socks, [...]

“You bought a house?” “Well, technically, I only made a down payment on a house. We still have to figure out how we’re going to make the monthly payments.” Andrea stared at Rudolf in disbelief for a moment and then chuckled. “I know you’re just teasing. You would never do something like that.” “I would never buy a house?” “Not [...]