Story Twenty-Three

A week after her husband passed away,

Sammy appeared on the farm, 

desperately thin, filthy, 

and injured with what appeared to be 

several pellet gun wounds on one of his hind legs.

Johanna gently cleaned him, treated the wounds 

and slowly fed him by hand, 

coaxing health back into the sweet dog.

When Nella Mickle, 

from nearby Richmond Grove,

arrived with her nephew to 

reclaim her lost dog, Tanner, 

Johanna responded,

"You just try and take him, 

but I wouldn't advise it."

Frightened by the low, menacing growl,

Nella and her nephew left without the dog.

Johanna and her canine companion 

were rarely separate, 

sharing a mutual fierce loyalty 

just like she had shared with her husband, 

Samuel.

Story Twenty-Two

 Silvio was not alone in feeling relieved 

that his mother-in-law

did not attend the wedding,

claiming a convenient migraine.

He had witnessed the unrelenting criticism

aimed at Gina,

an attempt to undermine her confidence

and keep her single,

in the role of eventual caretaker.

He admired how nothing,

even the frequent maternal cruelty,

could suppress Gina's radiant joy.

His heart expanded when he saw his new wife

preparing plates of food

to be sent home to her mother.

This was the beginning 

of the greatest chapter in his life. 

Story Twenty-One

Milton's family was constantly reminding him of his bachelorhood, 

as if he wasn't painfully aware of his solitary life.

"You'll fall in love some day", 

they said at every family gathering,

always with the spirit of a mocking taunt.

They had no idea that he was in love 

and had been for several years.

He fell in love with Elaine 

shortly after she and her clarinet 

joined the community band 

that he directed on Monday evenings.

She was talented, smart and witty, 

and he looked forward to seeing her each week.

He sensed a spark of interest on her part, 

but his lack of confidence made him hesitate,

 and Elaine began to enjoy the company of Lawrence, 

the first trombonist.

After the last rehearsal, 

Elaine and Lawrence approached Milton 

asking if the community band might play 

at their upcoming Spring wedding.

Milton congratulated them, 

saying that of course the band would play.

He went home with the certainty 

that his life would always be a 

solitary one.

Story Twenty

Sophie had been her father’s constant companion until her brother was born. 

She was no longer welcome in the family grocery store 

that she had assumed would be hers to inherit 

as her father had when he was a young man. 

Her father now boasted that he finally had a son who would take over the business. 

At twelve years old, 

Sophie learned the hard lesson that her father 

never considered that she could be an eventual equal.

Story Nineteen

Charlotte’s mother forbade many things during her teenage years, 

including trying out for the cheerleading squad. 

Her mother ignored the teary protests, yelling, 

“Those girls embarrass their families, jumping around in public like trollops. 

I will not have you disgrace me!” 

The first Halloween after moving out of the family home, 

Charlotte made a cheerleader outfit for the costume party she hosted. 

She insisted that her parents stop by 

and was immensely pleased by her mother’s reaction of horrified disgust.

Charlotte continued to be a cheerleader every Halloween 

until the effects of three childbirths suggested she should stop.

Story Eighteen

Johnny resented being told to watch after his twin brothers, 

Freddie and Eddie, 

preferring his earlier life as a single child.

When out of adult view, 

he would frequently pinch and shove the twins 

until they grew old enough to become each other's protector.

As adults, 

Freddie and Eddie remained close, 

socializing with Johnny only when necessary.

They no longer feared their older brother 

and felt no need to pretend to have affection for him.

Story Seventeen

She hated her husband’s habit of always walking several paces ahead of her, 

as if her presence was irritating and unnecessary. 

When she explained how she felt disrespected, 

he became angry and defensive, refusing to alter his behavior. 

She decided to exact some revenge 

and began to buy expensive gifts for herself.  

Although she still felt humiliated when they walked down the street, 

she felt that humiliation while wearing her fur coat and gold earrings.