Diegos stepsister called me from the library computer, eleven years old, glancing over her shoulder the whole time. “Tell Diego I tried,” she said. “I hid one of his dads …

The Empty Folding Chair Read More

Harpers stepbrother called from his room, twelve years old and trying to keep his voice from shaking. “Tell Harper I tried,” he said. “I unplugged the router so Dads online …

The Seat That Stayed Empty Read More

The stepsister called me from a school bathroom, whispering, a ten year old with a secret too big for her. “Tell Carter I tried,” she said. “I hid Moms suitcase …

The Empty Chair In The Front Row Read More

I sat in my kitchen with the phone to my ear, listening to a nine year old girl try to give my daughter something a grown man would not. “Tell …

The Empty Spot In The Stands Read More

I asked the bride to come in and sit down, and she did, still in her work clothes, the garment bag over her arm and the framed photo held against …

The Gap In The Lineup Read More

What slid against the glass, flat and folded at the very bottom under forty years of buttons, was an oilcloth pouch. My fingers were shaking before I even got it …

At The Bottom Of The Button Jar Read More

Under that false floor, flat and pressed to the metal, was an envelope gone gray with age and my name on it in Papas careful print. Inside was a letter …

The False Floor In The Lunch Pail Read More

Beneath the tangle of beads, flat at the very bottom of the velvet box, was a folded letter and a small certificate. I read the certificate first. It was an …

At The Bottom Of The Jewelry Box Read More

Behind the works of that old transistor radio, folded into the space where no battery goes, was a packet of paper. I eased it out with two fingers. A letter, …

Behind The Works Read More

Wedged down inside that chipped teapot, wrapped in a scrap of cloth, was a folded letter and a yellowed sheet of paper that turned out to be an appraisal. I …

Wrapped In Cloth Read More