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Short Stories




The Death House by Paul James Moore Based on a Tragic and true story of a man and a house in a street of terraced houses facing the... [820 words]
I Get Arrested by Sunny The title says it all. [812 words]
War by Albert Davis A short story. [4,483 words]
December 25th At Pam's Restaurant (Where Else ?) by Howard Freedman A story about a father and son who go to Pam's Restaurant ever... [1,329 words]
A Bird In The Hand by Elio P Evangelista Just on of those stories I felt like writing. [1,557 words]
Life In A Small Town by Elio P Evangelista A day in the life of a small town resident. [700 words]
Woodside! by Elio P Evangelista The true story of one of the most grueling experiences of my entire life. It's also pretty funny when... [1,797 words]
Those Summer Nights by Elio P Evangelista A very short stream of conciousness story that's meant to evoke the emotions of the summers... [480 words]
Cashen's Curse by Elio P Evangelista A short story about a jinxed baseball player that is in the process of developing into a much la... [2,584 words]
Only In America by Edith Talmason An accounting of the life and times of a young immigrant girl to this country during the early ... [4,963 words]
Frutti Di Mare by Hamish J Keith Frutti Di Mare is an exotic dish set on the island of Samui in Thailand. A failing Italian stumb... [3,621 words]
A Non Special Day by Sunny Just a saturday morning. [515 words]
Tainted But Trying by Sunny On level five and slipping lower into Dante's Inferno... [811 words]
Whacker Than Whack by Sunny This kinda amuses me... but, I don't know if it's the stupidity or genius of it. [778 words]
Think by Sunny Philosophically I hit it on the nail... but the last paragraph still displeases me. [1,427 words]
I Love Phoebe Gloeckner by Sunny Imagine emailing your favorite artist/celeb. and getting a reply back... Phoebe Gloeckn... [873 words]
An Easter Story by Clifton L. Martin A young girl struggles with life and an abusive father during a special time of year when her p... [6,228 words]
Left Alone by Lisa James A young alcoholic mother leaves her infant son alone to buy a bottle of wine. [2,882 words]
The End (2) by Maria Antonia Gonzalez It is a very short story that briefly describes an old lady's end. [104 words]
Kidnapped by Alejandro Dubois Arrese It's a short story about a girl that got kidnapped and dissapeared without a trace [476 words]
An Unfair Destiny by Enrique Copete [1,131 words]
The Guy, His Horse And His Dog by Marcela Garcia A short story. [561 words]
My Wonderland by Patricia Garcia It is about a girl who leaves her father, because her parents are divorced. It talks about all t... [446 words]
A Mysterious Dream by Laura M�ndez This is the story of a girl who once had a dream that made her doubt about her life, because... [828 words]
A Day Without School by Carolina Arango A short story. [868 words]
Reckless Nights by Laura M�ndez This is a story about Lisa, a 18 years old girl, who had a terrible accident with her friend af... [922 words]
Capture Suicide by Iveth Jaramillo The story of a teenager who came upon suicide. [523 words]
My Life by Ana Torres A short story. [737 words]
Devil Me, Angel One Day On by Ana Lucia Mora A short story. [883 words]
Death Experience by Santiago Molina A short story. [680 words]
The Plane Of The Sleeping Beauty by Sebastian Ramirez IS ABOUT A GUY THAT MEETS A BEAUTIFUL WOMEN IN A AIRPORT. IT SAYS HIS FEELINGS... [311 words]
A Time To Die by Michelle Haya Haya - [617 words]
The Girl That Never Went To Heaven by Enrique Copete A short story. [2,240 words]
Forever Love by Sebastian Ayalde - [1,622 words]
The Way I Died by Juanita Grillo Diez This is a first person story about a girl with a drug problem. [1,536 words]
I Closed My Eyes by Eduardo Lastra It is about a lawyer that has a lot of bad luck, he crashes his car, loses a case etc... [561 words]
You Never Know by Juanita Caicedo - [637 words]
A Horrible Dream by Juanita Grillo Diez It's a dream were I die about drugs. [1,536 words]
My Horrible Trip To The U.S.A by Andres Lastra This is a story about a 7 year old kid who lives through a horrible trip in a pla... [642 words]
The Meaning Of Friendship by Maria Mercedes Restrepo This is a story that will teach the real meaning of friendship. It tells about a prin... [819 words]
Anorexia by Maria Mercedes Restrepo This is a story of a girl who with out knowing gets the terrible, and mortal sickness of Anorexia, she... [912 words]
Be Sure Of Your Acts by Catalina Chavarro A short and descriptive story. [939 words]
Summer Of My German Soldier (Chapter 22) by Kristen Antia I read a book called "Summer of my German Soldier" and for a project I... [1,270 words]
Temping In TV Land by Howard Freedman This is a story about a fellow who takes a temp (temporary) job in a company that is involve... [2,015 words]
[email protected], Kenny And Me by Howard Freedman This is a story about a fellow I met at a public library. We developed ... [1,475 words]
The Male Qualities Of New York Love by Tyurina E Allen This is an experiment. [1,090 words]
Learning To Be Normal by David Valencia [642 words]
Life In A Nightmare by Santiago Molina - [855 words]
The End by Ana Torres - [1,106 words]
I Am Lost by Ana Torres - [777 words]
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One Step Can Change Your Life by Melody This short story is about a teenage girl, 16 years old, who sadly gets pregnant. ... [2,495 words]
December 31 by Carolina Arango - [1,140 words]
My First Kiss by Nugget - [718 words]
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Our Creation by Catalina Chavarro It's a short story about human creation. It has magic realism and at the same time is very detaile... [801 words]
Quiznos by Nugget - [239 words]
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Addio, Mama Mia by Paul V. Fornatar A Priest visits his aged Mother. [1,495 words]
A Dish Of Yogurt by Paul V. Fornatar Sometimes we assume too much, and sometimes we don't assume enough. [1,158 words]
A Family That Stays Together
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Riding The Line by Steven R. Kravsow Rosie McClusky loved to ride the bus, losing herself in the tapestry of the city. She loved the... [918 words]
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Lullaby by R. D. Partee A scifi story in several acts. [2,815 words]
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The Left Arm Of The Law by Steven R. Kravsow Charlie Underwood was a good cop. But sometimes even the best laid plans and a lifetime... [5,317 words]
What Can I Say? by Sunny Hmmm... did I make this up or lift this shit? you decide. [676 words]
An American Tale by Shaun Hurley Poverty is everywhere and it affects people differently. This tale goes through the lives of f... [4,131 words]
Homeboy by R W Morris A young man seizes an opportunity to escape the violence and poverty of the 'hood. [4,277 words]
Stunned To Silence by Silents This is written for a beautiful young lady that has captured my heart. When she entered my l... [105 words]
Madelaine by Richard Koss An eerie tale set in the modern day Pacific Northwest about a family's nightmarish encounter with a c... [8,451 words]
The Fringe Effect by K. F. Symbolic commentary on personal introspection. [1,401 words]
Friday Evening by Sunny Is the hero a scumbag? An ordinary friday night turns into a sexual orgy. [1,947 words]
The Hauberk Trilogy by J A Melody A collation of human sentiments derived from the inevitable despondency of conflict - It H... [902 words]
Nothing Is Just Black And White by Mitzy Spilman This short story tries to capture some facets of the social, political, and eco... [1,206 words]
The Unbinding Of Loki by Erik This is a story based loosely upon Norse mythology, in which I have a deep interest. It ... [1,258 words]
Quiet Seduction by Adagio A short tale of nocturnal seduction [137 words]
A Place To Stay by Steven R. Kravsow Arnie Westin was a con man-- a nickle and dimer always looking for the quick score. Arnie had a... [5,217 words]
Rhia by Francis Homestead A short story. [3,611 words]
A Place Of God In Modern, Feministic Views, Or Quotations From A Goddess To A God by Tyurina E Allen This is a story about a young... [1,536 words]
Hair - The Combing Out by Lillian Noura A mother remembers the first time she took her adopted Black daughter to the beauty parl... [2,890 words]
Granpa's Walk by Lisa Diaz-Meyer A disastrous Christmas Eve when a new widow is forced to deal with the possiblity of her elderly ... [1,362 words]
The Governor by Arlene Mason This is the last of the series of Keith Richardson stories, that include Crystal Blue, and Spring ... [4,704 words]
The Beginning Of A Hero by Michael Hunter Well, it's in the fantasy genre. Hum. It's pretty much self-explanatory, it's the pro... [894 words]
Halloween In Vietnam by Gary Donnelly Non-fiction/fiction. [1,649 words]

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TITLE (EDIT)
A Family That Stays Together
DESCRIPTION
The old bromide about the family that prays together stays together is carried to an extreme here.
[895 words]
AUTHOR
Paul V. Fornatar
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
After forty years of teaching school, I thought I would spend my retirement years writing. I've published five books, two novels, a teaching memoir, and two anthologies of short stories. Also tucked away in my drawer are 8 more novels, and 325 short stories, 75 have appeared in various magazines. I guess I love to write. It makes me feel young.
"Addio, Mama Mia" was the first story I submitted in my writing career. It was purchased in four days.
[March 2000]
AUTHOR'S E-MAIL ADDRESS
[email protected]
AUTHOR'S OTHER TITLES (3)
A Dish Of Yogurt (Short Stories) Sometimes we assume too much, and sometimes we don't assume enough. [1,158 words]
Addio, Mama Mia (Short Stories) A Priest visits his aged Mother. [1,495 words]
Flight Of Angels (Short Stories) Maybe it's something about airports, maybe it's flying and maybe it's something else. Check it out on your next flight. [1,038 words]
A Family That Stays Together
Paul V. Fornatar



     Today, I've taken time to look out the front window and notice changes. When we moved into this old house, there was no road out front, any street lights or sidewalks. Daddy thought that the city would spread our way, but instead it rolled down the hill in the opposite direction
     We've been happy here since we're a very close family. Daddy worked hard on this small farm and Mama does too, always doing chores and keeping an eye on Dwight and me. We're rarely apart for very long and never disagree with each other. That's how close a family we are. It's like we're four bodies with the same mind. There's nothing more reassuring to me than sitting here watching my brother on his stomach in front of the fireplace while Daddy takes his usual snooze in his favorite chair to one side and Mama on the other side, sitting there with her knitting. I feel so secure when we're together.
     I look over at Daddy now, still snoozing and know things are all right with the world. While I'm getting older, I still depend on the stablity of my family.
     There was a time when that stability was shaken a bit. A car rushing down our road hit Dwight. We were anxious while he was in the hospital over at Sexton, which is the only town in the area big enough to have a hospital.
     I don't know what I would have done if my friend Digby Deep wasn't there for me. I am alittle sweet over him and I have to say he has a preference to me as well.
     "Honey, I'll do whatever I can to ease your pain," he said.
     Digby is a kind man, eager to help those who have problems in their lives. After the pain of Dwight's accident, things did get a little better. Digby did all he could and while Dwight had many broken bones, it was wonderful to see him in front of the fireplace again.
     Digby proposed to me when we brought Dwight home. At the time, I didn't think it would be proper to jump into anything that would take me from my family.
     "Ill wait until the time is right, sweetheart," said Digby.
     I suppose it's never the right time if you have to look at a clock to decide. I would like Digby to be my husband, but he doesn't want to live with my family. I've needed him several times in the past and he was always there for me. He's more than a good friend.
     As I get older, I have to accept more responsiblity for Dwight, Mama, and Daddy. Oh, there's Digby coming up the front walk now.
     I open the door as he arrives.
     "Hello, Digby, dear." He's tall and lean and carries himself with dignity.
     "Hello, Helen. How are you today?"
     "Just fine Digby, just fine. Mama, Daddy, and Dwight are fine as well. Daddy is snoozing and Mama and Dwight...come in and say hello to them."
     "No, Helen, I'd rather sit here in the hallway. I've something to ask you."
     I could see the sad puppy dog look in his eyes probably from me refusing to wed him so often.
     "Don't you think it's time, Helen?"
     I look at the hallway clock. "It's four, Digby. Are we going somewhere?"
     "It's time to leave, Helen. Marry me and come live with me."
     "You know I can't leave my family, Digby."
     "It's been a long time, sweetheart."
     "Someday, Digby, Someday."
     "People are starting to wonder."
     "Digby, you know I like you very much, but..."
     "Helen, I'm sorry I ever..."
     "Digby, don't ever be sorry. You've done so much for me, dear."
     "I shouldn't have..."
     "I'll always be indebted to you, Digby."
     "It's just not natural, Helen. Why don't we do it as soon as possible?"
     "I can't pick up and leave the family, Digby."
     "But it's time,Helen."
     "Digby, you made it all possible."
     "I made a mistake, dear. Love makes men do some terrible things."
     "Terrible things? You've made my life a joy. It's almost like things never changed. The happiest moments of my life have remained all these years. Thanks to you, dear one."
     "But Helen..."
     "Come into the livingroom Digby and say hello to the family."
     "Helen, when I suggested years ago..."
     "It has been a long time, Digby, and now, here I am at seventy five. I have only to look at them and know that we are all together."
     "I made a mistke forty years ago. I was young and foolish and thought I had something that would revolutionize the industry."
     "You've given me life, Digby."
     "Helen, what kind of life is it to spend two thirds of it sitting with three embalmed bodies? No matter how well I preserved them and how they sit, they're still dead,Helen! It's time to bury them and live some of the life we have left."
     "Digby, how can we bury memories?"
     "It's not the memories you'll be burying. What'll happen to them after you...after you die?"
     "I've a will Digby and have left their bodies and mine to you. I'll finally be yours."
     Digby's eyes closed as if he was going to say a prayer, but instead he hobbled to the door, opened it slowly, and closed it even slower. I'm sure he'll be back.

c.2000

 

READER'S REVIEWS (5)
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"Read the Yogurt story and then this one. This was laid back and really fooled me. Good Dialogue." -- Mark Shame, Chicago, Illinois.
"Talk about a twist! Excellent." -- Richard, Calgary.
"Cute Story - Digby?? Did you happen to get that from Digby O'dell, the friendly undertaker, a radio character on "the Life of Riley" show that starred William Bendix? I know, I know, only someone close to your age would know that." -- Dick Koss, W. Hills, Ohio.
"Dick, O'Dell's first name was what started the whole idea.That's the only thing I borrowed. Yes, if you remember LOR you have to be my age or at least an appreciator of the Theater of the Mind. Thanks" -- Paul Fornatar, Chicago, Il.
"I really liked this story, it was cute but somewhat morbid." -- Patricia, New York.

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COPYRIGHT NOTICE
© 2000 Paul V. Fornatar
STORYMANIA PUBLICATION DATE
March 2000
NUMBER OF TIMES TITLE VIEWED
2232
 

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