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The crowd-in-a-box jerked into silence when the shrill squeal pierced their ears.
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No. I’d been gone four days, strangers had been in to feed him, and he needed cream now.
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Bart Goins, ten-year-old, Davis Lake Rock skipping champion has been suspected of cheating.
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Susan would have been hot anywhere, anytime, wearing anything, with or without the fan.
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Will stole their words and actions for his newest play. Bad juju. Bad, bad juju for Will.
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The sun doesn’t shine a lot back here, so it’s always cooler, much cooler, back here in the woods where the flowers grow.
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To see the edges of the art deco bank covered in blue and green sparkles was something out of a snowglobe.
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Norris and the Easter Bunny
Norris heard the rustling in the living room last night before I did. Thinking the worst, he leapt out of bed, and snagged my cheek with his back claw, narrowly missing my eye. Blood poured from the gash he left. There would be a scar. Dammit Norris. While he hotfooted it to the stirring in… Read more
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The Shade Room
I am simple. I go to my shade room. It would be a sun room if there were no giant oaks and holly trees covering its porch and backyard. Moss, hostas, ferns and begonias grow there, as well as my bed of impatiens. Mint, the plant that’s supposed to take over the planet struggles. But… Read more
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Eavesdropping
“Martha, I told you I would be late. I’m sorry you’ve got to put the kids to bed by yourself again tonight, I just got on the bus. I can’t teleport very well,” I could tell this well dressed, dark haired, professional dude, with the chiseled chin sitting beside me on the bus was in… Read more
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Kindness of Strangers
Thank God for the kindness of strangers. Little mercies we are grateful for that we often take for granted, like someone holding the door when our arms are full. They’re rarely there at 6:00 a.m. I had my arms full. My teacher bag was draped across my left arm with my coffee in my hand,… Read more
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Tornado Sirens
I was so glad to be home. The kids at school couldn’t have jumped any higher or harder on my last nerves. Our classroom was big enough to accommodate three times as many students, between their loud voices and their perpetually moving bodies they took up every square inch of it. Getting them in their… Read more
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Unspoken Trophy
“I need an introduction to our class.” So, I was asked to lead an exercise, Off the cuff with no tenor and no bass My chest puffed out ever so slight, so wise. Stood taller, looking people in the eye Relax, lean back, let them complete the why As if not wanting to draw attention Wrote poems with the “I am” intentionsTrying… Read more
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The crowd-in-a-box jerked into silence when the shrill squeal pierced their ears.
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No. I’d been gone four days, strangers had been in to feed him, and he needed cream now.
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Bart Goins, ten-year-old, Davis Lake Rock skipping champion has been suspected of cheating.
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Susan would have been hot anywhere, anytime, wearing anything, with or without the fan.
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Will stole their words and actions for his newest play. Bad juju. Bad, bad juju for Will.
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The sun doesn’t shine a lot back here, so it’s always cooler, much cooler, back here in the woods where the flowers grow.
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To see the edges of the art deco bank covered in blue and green sparkles was something out of a snowglobe.
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Let’s Call it Art
“That painting on the wall is askew and is about to fall down on the fragile candy dish on top of the buffet. Between the shards of glass that escape and the bits of sweets that scatter, it will never be safe to go barefoot in the house again. Move the damned painting,” He said.…
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Hall Pass
The state took over our school and taught me how to teach the way they wanted me to. They didn’t demand I command a hundred seat auditorium, they were more concerned that I orchestrate three classes in one classroom. They noticed I had leadership skills. They didn’t say whether they were good…
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Fashion Emergency
I had on boots, leggings, a sweater dress, and vintage jewelry. The brooch was a stone blue, grey, and weird white that went perfectly with the black of the dress. It had matching clip earrings that were so perfectly cut they glistened in the dark. They were even comfortable to wear. I had lost twenty…
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Parable of the Long Spoons
Parable of the long spoons Hell is where the spoons are so long you can’t feed yourself the luscious food on the table. Heaven is where the spoons are the same size as the ones in Hell, but everyone is willing to feed you. I hope there’s a special place in Heaven for those who…
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A Prayer for School
Dear Lord, Take the thunderstorm out of my brain when my lightning temper flares. Let my past stop ruling my head and teach me silent grace. Teach me to accept my students as humans with quirks, and humor, not the hateful banshees I see them as. Lead me to peace and joy with them rather…
Devonne Brown 