Family Story Novels & Stories

AMARACHI (Amarachi Edwards) "This is the fifth school you're rejecting today." my mum said. She looked really frustrated and stressed. My mum is a single parent. My Dad died when I was still a little child. We just recently relocated from our former house so I had to change school.

And he places my sandwich in front of me, the two of us doing a terrible job at pretending the sparks were not flying and our hands grazing themselves were accidental. “Are you going to tell me what happened last night?” he asked sipping from his coffee. I stuff my mouth with the turkey sandwich he made himself, it was very good actually. “Family issues. Dead sister’s ghost came haunting, brought back memories of how horrible it was being her sister.” I say finally. “Every family has their issues. I believe every family has one.” I shrug, and take another bite from my sandwich. “No. Seriously, every family is as messed up as yours.”

Together. A family.

I have a family . .

Sisters. Family.

“My family.” THE END!

Grandpa Frank and Grandma Harper resided in the rural countryside, far away from where we were. In my past life, after Mom and Dad faked their deaths, I was so consumed by the need to work and repay the debt that I had no mental energy for anything else. I was working from the second I woke up, so I simply didn't have the luxury or the capacity to think about anything else. It struck me as odd that there had been no news at all from Grandpa Frank and Grandma Harper. They were the ones who had actually raised me, while Mom and Dad were practically strangers.

But what if Harper figures it out? [Harper? Don’t worry. I just overheard her trying to borrow money from someone. She’s clueless.] [Hahaha. Harper is way too easy to fool.] Suddenly, I remembered something Will had said before he cut ties with the family. “Most families favor sons over daughters, but somehow ours is the opposite! Why do you always have Mom’s and Dad’s attention? What about me?”

We turned the pain into something stronger. John walked out then and sat on Hope’s other side. He ruffled her hair gently. Your mom is right he said. The past tried to break us many times. But we kept choosing each other. That is what family means. Not perfect bloodlines. Not old grudges. Just showing up and loving each other through the mess. You can ask us anything Hope. We will never hide the truth from you again. Hope smiled a little. I like hearing the real stories she said. Even the scary ones. They make me feel like I come from strong people. Can we have a family dinner tonight with everyone. I want to hear more about how you and Mom met. The real version not the short one.

I closed my eyes, letting the last shred of my attachment to family die. "Think whatever you want. But Mom, even if you kill yourself right now, I'm still telling everyone the truth about that matcha."