The Passenger

A strange thing happened to me last week. I had just come out of the drugstore and gotten into my car when the door suddenly opened and a woman got into the backseat. I swung around and was about to tell her that my yellow car wasn't a taxi and ask her to leave when …

Lesson #3 & the Scar

iStock Image Abebi was waiting for Becket outside of apartment building where she lived. They had arranged to meet there and then head to the park for their lesson and afterwards to the lake so that he could go for a swim. Teaching him Hausa was so much fun. He was such a good student. …

Fear & Future Happiness

Getty Image "Antonia pushed you?" "Yes." "I believe that she's capable of a lot of things but attempted murder?" "She pushed me down the stairs, Laird. Maybe she didn't intend to kill me but my injuries could have been fatal." "What exactly happened?" "When she came here, she accused me of ruining her chances with …

Loneliness and Seniors

Two years ago, I read an article on seniors and how an alarming of them go an entire week without talking to anyone. Can you imagine going for days with little or no human interaction? How sad for these seniors who were once caregivers--parents who took care of their children, providing for them. When my …

Thankful…For What?

Getty Image It's Thanksgiving. What do I got to be thankful for? Another year of abuse from a man who's no good? Should I be thankful that I lost another baby cause he knocked me about and that child going to see its father beat its mother like other kids do? Should I be thankful …

Alone with Nature

Photo by Krista Strutz “Loretta, where’s Jim?” “Up at the cabin.” “How come you didn’t go with him?” “I didn’t feel like going.” “You mean he didn’t ask you to go.” “I never liked going up there, anyway.  It’s too remote.  I never felt safe.  And there’s not much to do except go for walks …

Father Kiesler’s Decision

After agonizing over what to do, he decided that it would be best to send Monifa away for her safety and once she was gone, he knew what he needed to do. In his hand, he had the letter in which he had written about everything, including his relationship with her, although he didn't mention …

An Unexpected Turn

Hours after Sister Riegel had stopped by his office to see him, Father Kiesler walked in. "I apologize for being late," he said to Gracelyn. "Something came up." Truth be told, he had been in the "secret" room with Monifa. When she hadn't shown up to the rectory last night and he became very worried, …

A Thorn in His Side

He had no doubt now that Sister Augustin was the one who told Father Schmidt about Monifa and him. Many times he could feel her eyes on him and when he turned to look at her, she quickly averted her gaze. And she avoided him. On one occasion during recess when he was talking to …

Karine Asks About Michelle

It was Monday morning and he was waiting in the lounge for the company car. He he had decided last night that he was ready to buy a car so he was on his cell, looking at the different cars at the same dealership where Mr. Chang had bought his. He was confident that he …