She came to me crying after the Holidays. Literally crying.  She said she never felt so mistreated in her life. It felt like all she did was cook and clean the entire time the girls and their families were here. I spent so much time taking care of them that I didn't have time to enjoy them. They were never like this when they lived with us. Why are they doing this now? This was my cue to be fatherly and set things right b...

Working with children, you're privy to some of their conversations. Overheard snippets as you walk past or sit next to them. Even the very young children somehow seem to be able to effectively communicate with each other. To me, it just sounds like random noises and baby babble, but they just know. On Wednesday I was partially privy to such a conversation when I walked down the other end of the playground to defuse a squi...

 “Hey, good lookin’, what ya got cookin’ tonight?” At the sound of Darrell Ray’s cocky, teasing voice, Bebe gave him an unhurried glance. Then she took her time putting away an unread folder, turning off the fluorescent desk light and covering the typewriter. When everything was in order, she leaned back and met his gaze.It was way past the lumberyard’s two o’clock Saturday closing time. He was always the last hourly empl...

A new baby is always so much funA little bundle of joy to loveThere's nothing better than a little oneThis is a gift sent from up aboveTake photos every dayAnd a video diary tooThey change in so many waysThis will be nice to look throughA video diary of all milestonesIt's an incredible giftIn a flash, they'll be grownThey'll thank you with a kissSave a few of their thingsFor a time capsuleAll their baby blingAny things th...

Chapter Two - Nick “So where did you go to school before you came here?” Oasis asks me politely as we head towards our maths class. “I was home-schooled,” I say as we reach the room. As I open the door for her to the classroom, she pauses in front of me and looks at the earnest look on my face before going into the room and taking her seat. I quickly head over to the teacher's desk and hand her the slip I have to get sign...

Just after sunset, Carpenter and Holly exited the cave and headed for the house. Ever the gentleman he held the door open for her and allowed her to enter first. Upon stepping across the threshold she froze in place because standing there at the kitchen table was her twin. Holly's face showed total shock and surprise as she slowly moved closer. Even Carpenter's face registered disbelief at the figure before him. It was on...

It has been called many things by different people. Precognitive, ESP, a bad feeling, a premonition and even spidey sense. We have all had the warnings that only we can see in our mind's eye or heard a voice that no one else can. Do you obey them? It can occur when traveling your regular route home and something tells you to take the right that you normally don't take because it takes longer. You disregard the warning and...

People always offer opinions and advice, As to what you should or shouldn’t do, Though they can barely manage themselves, They seem to know what’s best for you. An old friend offers relationship advice, As he talks about his latest divorce, He always blames his latest ex-wife, And I just nod and say “But, of course.” Another friend offers financial advice, Talking stocks and bonds on the phone, I’d probably take him a bit...

FragmentedThat title — what on Earth could it mean?Has another heart been torn asunder?No, it refers to phrases trimmed too lean,Sentences lacking substance and thunder.Fragments, as they are commonly known;Lines missing at least one vital part.Though unable to stand on their own,They oft appear in literary art.These snippets bear just part of the blame —What a minefield writers must traverse!Run-ons to wrangle, tense shi...