Tariq Johnson was only 13 years old, but today, he felt older proud, even. He had his very first paycheck in hand, written in his name. It wasn’t a huge amount just $150 but to him, it felt like a million dollars. He had earned it by helping out part-time at his father’s tech firm over the summer organizing wires, sorting parts, cleaning desktops, and learning to troubleshoot simple things. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was his. Wearing his cleanest jeans, a freshly ironed polo shirt, and his favorite sneakers, Tariq walked into the towering glass building of Crest View…
Author: town gist
“Mom, he’s my brother,” said six-year-old Andrew, his voice trembling as he stared at the barefoot boy on the sidewalk. Clara Whitmore, dressed in her beige heels and crisp designer suit, froze. They had just left a fancy downtown gala at the Ritz, where the city’s wealthiest had gathered to sip champagne under glittering lights. Andrew had been as polite and quiet as always, holding her hand gently as they stepped out into the afternoon sun. But now, as they turned onto 6th Avenue, everything stopped. Andrew had suddenly gone still. His small hand gripped hers tighter. “Andrew?” Clara asked,…
In the chaos of an African conflict zone, seasoned U.N. pilot John Henderson was on a high-risk rescue mission. Known for his courage and calm under pressure, John was flying over a war-ravaged town when a missile exploded nearby. Forced to land, he stepped out into the ruins of what was once a vibrant community. That’s when he saw her a young girl, no older than eight, alone and clinging to a makeshift doll. Her name was Amara. Unlike most children in such conditions, Amara didn’t cry. Her eyes held strength beyond her years. Something about her reminded John of…
A 10-year-old boy tells his mother what his stepfather was doing to him, making her tremble with fear to the point of hiding under the bed to uncover the truth. But when she realized what was really happening, her world fell apart. Annabeth woke up early, as she did every day, slipped into her blue silk robe, which glided softly over her shoulders, and stretched, taking a deep breath as she felt the cool morning breeze waft through the half-opened window. She sighed. Everything seemed peaceful, almost like a painting of the perfect routine. She glanced at her husband, still…
The midday sun cast harsh shadows across the cramped alleyway behind St. Bridget’s Convent. Sister Marie, a white nun in her late 30s, had slipped out the back door to find some air and a moment of quiet. She’d been tending to the church’s humble garden all morning, hoping the routine would ease the heavy ache that still lingered in her life. She had once been married, but an abusive relationship and multiple surgeries had robbed her of the ability to have children of her own. Her decision to become a nun wasn’t just a calling it was a refuge…
The twins were only four years old when it happened. It was supposed to be a picnic. That’s what she said. “Just a walk through the trees, boys. We’ll see butterflies and squirrels.” Isaiah held on to his brother Elijah’s hand tightly as they skipped along the mossy path. Their mother smiled as she walked ahead, humming softly. She laid down the tattered blanket, pulled out two peanut butter sandwiches, and set them gently on napkins like it was a special day. But then she stood up and walked away. “Mommy,” Elijah called out. “Where are you going?” She didn’t…
The hospital room was quiet except for the soft cooing of two newborns. Marcus Cray sat on a stiff plastic chair, cradling his twin daughters in each arm. Their skin was pale, eyes sky blue, and their wispy hair glowed golden beneath the overhead light. They looked nothing like him. Yet in that moment, they were his entire world. His wife, Hannah, hadn’t said much since the delivery. She had turned her face toward the wall, unmoved, even when the nurses placed the girls in her arms. Three days later, Marcus returned home from his shift at the auto shop…
When Sarah Hayes, an ordinary woman, is wrongly stopped by racist cops, things quickly escalate. Just as the situation spirals out of control, her husband, Colonel James Hayes, arrives in a military vehicle, revealing a shocking twist. What happens next is a battle for justice that the officers never saw coming. It was a quiet afternoon in downtown, the streets bustling with the usual hum of traffic. Sarah Hayes, in her late 30s, was driving her black SUV after a meeting, on her way to pick up her daughter from school. The familiar route made her feel at ease until…
Dr. Carmen called Marie’s name, and the woman entered the office accompanied by her husband, Balthazar. As soon as the doctor saw Marie’s prominent belly, she couldn’t hide her surprise. “Marie… how many months along are you? Seven? Eight, maybe?” Marie immediately shook her head and crossed her arms. “Doctor, I already said this outside. I’m not showing because of a baby.” Balthazar, scratching his neck, confirmed, “That’s right, doctor. The nurse who checked us thought my wife was expecting and sent us here. But we’re telling you—it’s not a pregnancy.” Dr. Carmen furrowed her brow, clearly intrigued. “How could…
After a delicate heart surgery, a child didn’t survive, and her little sister asked, “Can I lie beside her one last time?” Minutes later, the heart monitor started beeping again and an unbelievable miracle happened. The waiting room of the hospital was drowned in agonizing silence. Tamiris and Raul sat side by side, their hands tightly intertwined, trying to find some comfort in each other. Between them, Stella, only six years old, swung her legs impatiently, glancing around with tearful eyes. “Mommy, Esther’s going to be okay, right?” the little girl asked, her voice trembling. Raul took a deep breath,…