family

My Husband Died Twice—Once in the Hospital, Once in Our Bedroom
The first time my husband died, there were machines all around him. They spoke softly, rhythmically, as if they were trying to convince everyone in the room that life was still going on. The doctor spoke in careful sentences, the nurses avoided my eyes, and I stood there holding his hand, waiting for something to change.
By Echoes of Lifeabout a month ago in Fiction
A Name Is Never Just a Name
Before she even existed, our daughter was already being argued over. Not about religion. Not about schools. Not about politics or screen time or whether she’d grow up liking dogs or cats.
By Iqbal about a month ago in Fiction
The Driving Lesson
“Before your driving lesson, now take it slow on the speed and gentle on the brake, Claire.” “Mom, I have been driving before this, I have practised without incident, even on the road.”
By Sarah Danaherabout a month ago in Fiction
Mama. Runner-Up in Nothing But Voices Challenge.
“Hello, anyone home?” “Coming! Keep your pants on. Well, what do we have here?” “Mama?” “'Scuse me?” “It’s me, Annie.” “Don’t know no Annie. Must have the wrong place.”
By Cathy Schieffelinabout a month ago in Fiction
The Conversation
"Hi Dad, it’s Jesse. How are you doing this evening? Are you ready for supper? They’re rolling the trolley with trays down the hall. It's Thursday, so I think that means meatloaf."
By Ben Waggonerabout a month ago in Fiction
The Box Between Us
“Why is it still here.” “I told you not to touch it.” “It’s in the closet.” “It was in the back.” “It’s still here.”
By Miss. Anonymous🌻about a month ago in Fiction
A Name is a Weapon, a Name Is a Balm. Runner-Up in Nothing But Voices Challenge. Top Story - January 2026.
"Emma?" "Every other baby girl since '93 has been named Emma." "I don't mean Rachel's Emma. I mean, like, Austen's Emma."
By Jennifer A. G.about a month ago in Fiction
Unidentified Black Male. Content Warning.
“Hey is this her? Here you are, ma’am. I found this little girl wandering off across the park. Said she was lookin' for her momma.”
By Matthew J. Frommabout a month ago in Fiction
In for a Pennie
Alright, gang, soup’s on! Soup? I thought we ordered pizza? That’s what I heard. It’s a figure of speech, an expression.
By Link Labout a month ago in Fiction
You Never Listen!
"Look, it's really simple and I can't keep explaining it to you, I won't be here forever, you know!" "I know, but its-" "Just a light. I know what you're going to say, but it's about the bigger picture Mark. You can't have everyone do everything for you your whole life."
By S. A. Crawfordabout a month ago in Fiction
Waiting Room
“Is this seat taken?” “No, go ahead.” “Thanks. It’s colder in here than I expected.” “They keep it that way.” “You come here often?”
By Sound and Spiritabout a month ago in Fiction
1960’s Out Side Loo
How often do we take for granted the comfort of the things we have in 2020? I remember my childhood and visiting my aunty and uncles with my Mam. I also have memories of living with my granddad in an old two-bedroom terraced house, the worst memory being the outside toilet (the loo to the younger readers). In some places we would visit, Mum would tell me beforehand, “Don't ask to go to the toilet; it's bloody filthy in there. You will catch something.”
By Marie381Uk about a month ago in Fiction