John looked off in the distance, over Ada’s head, at the front door. He appeared disinterested in their conversation. Ada shifted uneasily on the sofa. Adele sat silently opposite in the blue‑floral brocaded chair, picking lint from the sleeve of her blouse. “John only encouraged Rodger to do the things he wanted to do.” Madeline’s […]
“Possibilities” was a good start for me. Steve and I hung in there for the entire seventh-grade-level words. It surprised me half of the students couldn’t make it beyond the first round. Actually, we’d had most the words—overrated, wheelchair, windshield, hitchhike, and ninety-nine—in our advanced reading groups. Steve and I were in the blue group, […]
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a […]
Rodger wiped his wet face against his sleeve. Traces of Sam’s blood smeared his cheek. He looked at his friend’s body, so still, so calm, so dead. He longed to be up there with his men fighting the Japanese. If only Sam had had enough time to put together the guts of his plane! But […]
Our sixth-grade girls’ volleyball team had a practice match with the seventh-grade boys. I saw Dean on the sidelines, but he didn’t get to play that game. He saw me, too, and waved. I said “Hi” as I walked by him to get into my position. I stayed in the whole game and managed to […]