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.

Story Sixteen

He was only eight years old, but Frederick already felt suffocated by the future that his family had planned for him. 

 It was assumed that, following tradition, 

he would eventually join the business that his great-grandfather had started. 

Every time one of them bragged about how clever he was, 

Frederick hoped he was clever enough to find a way to his own future.

Story Fifteen

When the five Gelbach sisters became aware of the abuse that Della Mae, 

a young neighbor, was suffering at the hands of her guardian uncle, Calen Larnach, 

one collective nod sealed their unspoken plan. 

In their Sunday finest, they walked down the street with Edna, the oldest, 

leading the way as she carried the family shotgun. 

Without knocking, the sisters entered the Larnach house. 

Edna announced that Della Mae would now be living at the Gelbach house as she leveled the shotgun, 
aiming at Calen’s chest. 

Della Mae thrived under the care of the sisters, 

eventually becoming a surgical nurse at the county hospital. 

Although the sisters had been prepared to do battle against any townsperson who might challenge their unorthodox adoption, 

no objections were ever made public. 

The Gelbach sisters better understood how their lives could have been 
if they had been rescued from their own childhood.

Story Fourteen

Doris Jean’s parents became concerned when she formed an unusual bond with the new farm dog.

 Doris Jean named him Tip and acted like they were siblings,
spending all waking hours together with animated, one-sided conversations.  

They gave the dog to an acquaintance in the neighboring county only to find Tip back at their home three days later.  

When Doris Jean fell through the ice of the pond, 

it was Tip who alerted the family. 

After the pond incident, Tip was allowed to stay in the house as a beloved family member 

until he passed shortly after Doris Jean’s eighteenth birthday.

Story Thirteen

As a little girl, 
Emma knew that she wanted to be a dancer. 

Her parents encouraged her with enthusiasm and worked extra jobs to pay for lessons and costumes. 

After graduating from high school, she immediately left for New York City to begin her dancing career. 

Her first audition was a brutal awakening to the fact that she had very limited skills and could never compete as a professional. 

Shame prevented her from returning home. 

She remained in the city and struggled as a clerical worker but wrote weekly letters to her parents,
richly detailing the life she dreamed of living. 

She wished someone had been honest with her when her younger heart might have been more buoyant.

Story Twelve

As a child, Everett knew that he would eventually leave the family farm. 

When his third grade teacher fastened a large world map to the classroom wall, 

his imagination and curiosity were ignited. 

His family showed only contempt for his scholarly pursuits, 

so he didn’t tell them that he had been named 

Chair of the Anthropology Department. 

They would never visit him to understand the details of his life 
and he had little interest in returning home, 

especially since the  disaster caused by his older brothers.

Story Eleven

When she suddenly became guardian of her niece and nephew,

she thought Conrad's solemn intensity was a result of the dreadful, mysterious accident.

Soon, small animals were appearing daily on the back porch, like morbid gifts.

She assumed the barn cat was responsible

until she took the children to the lake.

Both horrified and mesmerized, 

she watched fish swim to Conrad as if responding to a divine command.

Those fish that he casually grabbed with his bare hands,

died immediately.

No matter where they went swimming,

the same disturbing scene played out.

She felt a need to help him control whatever this strange phenomenon was,

and told him that he was the family hunter.

He could only call animals that they would eat.

They were never without food.

She loved her niece;

she feared her nephew.

Story Ten

She was devastated and furious 
when her husband announced that they were leaving the country where they were both born 
and where all members of their extended families lived within a five mile radius. 

He valued the thought of seeking fortune in America, 
while she valued little other than her family. 
Consumed with sorrow, 
she barely spoke to him after they settled in Brooklyn. 

Within a month, she began to understand that this new home had much to offer that she would learn to love. 

She also understood that she enjoyed carrying a fierce anger towards her husband.

Story Nine

 The three older Gibson brothers appointed themselves both the local rule makers and the local rule enforcers. 

They believed they had cultivated a fearful respect in the community which encouraged their arrogance and brutality. 

When they decided to take ownership of the county road that bisected their fields,
several local men stood up to them. 

The ensuing tragedy scarred the entire town, causing divisions that lasted for generations. 

The county road remained open to all.

Story Eight

After her older sister, Imogen, left for America without a word, 

Shona had a fleeting thought that her parents would treat her more lovingly; 

instead, she became the sole target for their simmering anger.  

She began to take walks to the River Boyne where she could lose herself,  

becoming hypnotized by the seductive currents.

Story Seven

The one person who never appeared bothered by Leonard’s stutter was his boss, Mr. Ott. 

After years of being the family disappointment, Leonard was able to flourish, 

proving himself to be a gifted mechanic. 

He eventually took over the Ott business and took secret pleasure in knowing that he was far more successful than his three brothers.

Story Six

As adults, they would both continue to get nervous when the yelling began, 

but Emily never lost confidence 

that her older sister would protect her from even the most damaging words.

Story Five

Scarlet fever claimed her son, Henry, when he was only 10 months old, 

leaving her in a fog of grief. 

In the gloaming, she would sometimes hear his bubbling laughter, 
but the sound was gradually evaporating with each passing season.  

She feared that his spirit was traveling to a place 

that would forever be just beyond her grasp.

Story Four

She smirked when she saw him staring at her house as he frequently did since being humiliated by her caustic rebuff. 

She knew he was attempting to intimidate her, 

but he was the one who should be cautious. 

If he had known the reason why she arrived in town that summer, 

he never would have chosen to provoke her.

Story Three

It had seemed like a good idea to remove the vines from their beloved home, 

but so many faults were now shamefully visible. 

The charm disappeared and bitterness filled the void as they became more aware of each other’s shortcomings. 

They were divorced before year’s end.

Story Two

Imogen’s family thought she had been saving money for a marriage to Redmund, 

the local pharmacist, 

but she instead bought a ticket to cross the Atlantic Ocean. 

She would send a note back to Carbury once she arrived in New York.

Story One

This was not the daughter-in-law she had prayed for. 

This one would neglect her granddaughter and eventually kill her hydrangeas.