The child stood glum and limp in the middle of the dark living room while his father pulled him

“I told you sweetie, she is in a better place right now. She won’t be coming home.” She looks up at me with tears in her eyes. “That’s not fair! Why would he leave us?” “It wasn’t her fault baby girl,” I say tearing up. “I WANT TO SEE HER NOW!” Amelia starts screaming. “You can’t see her!” I shout back.

“Okay,” Grandma said quietly. “Sit next to me, and I’ll read you a bedtime story.” Amira crawled up and sat down beside Grandma. There was plenty of room in the cozy old chair. Grandma read a story about a girl and her playful pet cat. Sara sat on the rug and listened. “It’s time for

"Hey dad. Yeah we're leaving now. Okay see you soon. Love you too, bye." She hung up. "Okay, they're leaving now, we should get

From the moment his child is born, a man's world changes. He is no longer Jim, Tim or Greg, but father. His child entrusts him to be a guide, a teacher, but foremost, a protector; their shield from the horrors of an uncertain world. It’s a thankless job, but worth the safety of his child; unless of course, he’s one jeopardizing it. In his poem, “My Papa’s Waltz,” Theodore Roethke describes a neglectful and abusive dance between a father and young son.

She was devastated. Her Mama was sick, and she was going to die if they didn’t get a doctor. Elaine was so busy crying that she did not notice when Michael Butler walked in. He walked over towards her, and asked her what was wrong. Elaine didn’t really mean to tell Michael, but all the words just poured out; Losing the field, her Mama getting sick and that they couldn’t afford a doctor to help her Mama. Michael felt so bad for Elaine, and he wanted to help her. But how? Even his family was running low on money. Then an idea struck him. His Papa could take care of Elaine’s Mama! Michael wasn’t sure if his Papa would do it, but he could at least try. After school that day Michael went home to talk to his Papa. He explained the situation to him, and at first Papa did not want to go. “They obviously can’t pay me to take care of Elaine’s mother, what would I get out of it?” said Michael’s Papa. Eventually, Michael persuaded his Papa to do it, “Can’t you imagine how sad it would be if Elaine’s Mama died?” he

“WHAT?! Oh my God!” she screamed with a hint of crying. She bolted out the door, grabbing my brother by the arm, started the car and rushed to the hospital leaving Chloe and

“Welcome home Father! We have missed you so much,” I cried. “Thank you, Mary I’ve missed you as well,” he said with a quick smile quickly turning back into a frown. “What is the matter; did I do something wrong,” I say getting frightened. “Oh no sweetheart, it is definitely not you it’s just that... never mind. Where is your mother?” “She went outdoors to hang the laundry,” I replied, biting my lip knowing that it’s my job to do the laundry.”Thank you,” he yells, already out the door. As I make my way outside, I see my father worriedly talking to my mother as a look of

Saturday afternoon , Sam and Colleen arrive at the hospital to visit Erika. Henry leaves to run some errands and give them alone time together . Erika's skin looks pale from her accident , her eyes and mouth wide open , she takes a deep breath every two minutes. Her mom Mrs. White sits in the chair next to her holding on to her hand as she cries. “ Is she gonna be OK?” “ I don't know , the doctors say she's in a state of shock , something scared her to where she is like this .” Sam goes up to Erika holding her hand . “ Erika its me Sam , we miss you , I miss you.” He gives her a kiss on the cheek and whispers in her ear. “ I'll get Scratch for this , even if it takes my last breath.”

As he shoved his luggage into his overhead bin, he took a seat with exhaustion. Remembering all the memories they've had at their grandparents house, when they were little. Now today would be the day to relive all those fun and exciting memories, thought Jamerson. Jamerson knew he could be able to show his Grandma Judy and Grandpa Jona, all the things he's learned from his practices in football, soccer, and basketball. Kaitlyn had finally gotten a flight attendant to come over by her. Kaitlyn began to speak, “Mrs, by any chance do you have wifi on here I could connect to?” The flight attendant Carrie had said, “I'm sorry ma'am we don't, is there anything else I can get you?” Kaitlyn didn't say anything, she sat there in disappointment. Ugh,

“Yeah, my dad told me there was going to be a funeral. I’ll tell you about it later. Go help Eliza.”

“I’m so nervous.” Eli was pulled out of his trance-like state and turned toward the source of the voice. Kael fiddled with his jacket buttons and tugged at its too-short sleeves, unable to keep his hands still. The old and faded material looked eaten and worn; passed down for more than three generations, it was riddled with stitches and patches. The only part of the coat that was new were the shining copper buttons. They had cost a week’s worth in earnings and probably did little to keep out the cold of the early fall morning. Even so, the jacket was the nicest thing Eli’s friend owned.

I can hear the children making a ruckus in the backyard, and the wind whistling through the trees. On this hot, summer, Sunday afternoon and John Jr. and Loretta are playing with all of their toys, while their father sits on the porch and enjoys his snuff. My eyes peer across the room to see him, my husband, through the windows as I walk to take my seat next to him on the porch where I will finish today’s stitching. Loretta is turning six next month, so I am making her a cross stitch pattern on a special blanket John Thomas bought her last week when he was in the city. The surprise must be well reserved, so I hide it when she comes near. “Mama!” calls John Jr. “When’s Granmama comin’? I’m already gettin’ hungry.”

At least, thought Kacie, her dad was coming back soon. He would play with them! Kacie remembered that he was always ready to run around with her and Lump. He called Kacie his little girl, but sometimes he would turn to Lump, saying “But I didn’t forget about you; you’re my baby too.” Once, after this happened, Kacie had asked if Lump was her twin. Her parents had laughed, her mom adding, “You’re two

“Bye mommy and daddy, I love you!” said little Charlotte. Right before they left, she ran up to the door and gave them both a big hug. They returned the hug, squeezing her tightly, before walking out into the garage and starting the car. Charlotte looked out the window, watching her parents pull out of the driveway. Little did she know that she would never see her dearest parents ever again.

Amy walks across the boardwalk enjoying the last couple of days before her dad goes away to war. “I really don’t see the reason you have to go, it is not fair”, Amy said as she tossed a sea shell into the ocean. Her Dad replied with “I will be just fine there is no need to worry about me sweetheart”. He tried to change the subject by asking Amy about her meet coming up on Friday. “So how is your back tuck going”, he asked. Amy replied with “good I guess”. By the time they returned back to the house the joyful trip to the beach had become quite and overtaken by worry.