Neighbor

Photo by Todd Foltz “Why are you being so nice to me?” The woman asked the black teenager as she unpacked the groceries.  She had hurt her ankle in a fall and was told to rest it for a week. The girl, her neighbor, offered to assist her until she was fully recovered.  She was …

It’s Time

Their lives don’t matter. Their cries fall on deaf ears. They can’t breathe. They suffocate.  They die. Their lives don’t matter. But that’s not true. Their lives do matter. That’s why we protest. That’s why we march. Enough is enough. It’s time for change. It’s time for action. It’s time for justice. It’s time to …

Cousins

Rehoboam was in Toronto on business for two weeks when he decided to call his cousin, Tamar and ask her to have lunch with him the following day. The last time they saw each other was before he moved to London. That was ten years ago and she was 12 at the time. They had …

Loving Lin

I leaned against the wall, feeling numb.  I was still reeling from the shock of learning that Lin was engaged.  We broke up when he said that his parents were visiting from Beijing and that they wouldn't approve of us living together.  I understood that because my parents were the same way, old-fashioned.  They always …

Henrik and Lauryn

It was during the Intermission that he spotted Lauryn.  He was waiting for Kellie who had gone to the bathroom while she had just come out of it.  Not wanting  her to leave before he got a chance to talk to her, he squeezed his way through the crowd and went over to where she …

My Reality

I see the fear on her face as we walk towards each other.  It’s broad daylight.  I’m just walking down the sidewalk, minding my own business but she looks at me as if I was going to attack her at any minute.  She walks faster and clutches her handbag tightly.  Maybe she thinks I’m going …

It’s Time

You said it wasn’t your intent to hurt me but you did. You said it wouldn’t happen again.  But it did. You promised that things would get better but they haven’t. You swore you would change but you haven’t. I love you but there’s a limit to what I can take. I said that I …

Back Together

"Good heavens, Atticus, do you want us to freeze to death?" Mrs. Sutcliffe exclaimed as she shot her son a reproving look.  "Kindly close that window." He turned to face her.  "It's a bit fusty in here, Mother." "It is not!" she retorted indignantly.  "These rooms are aired out every day.  Now kindly close it …

For Better or For Worse

"How long are you going to continue looking out that window?  She's not coming back.  Sooner or later you must accept that." He didn't answer.  Her words cut to the core but he refused to believe that Brittany was gone forever. "She got tired of waiting and decided that it's time to move on.  Can't …

The Lapel

"The interview will commence in ten minutes so you need to go over there and fix his lapel."  Rhea was mortified.  "I can't," she protested. "Don't be silly," Angela snapped.  "You're responsible for making sure that the guests look good in front of the camera.  Now get over there and fix the lapel or you …