"How do you intend to market your book?" the voice was dry and raspy with intones of a heavy smoker. "I trust you thought about it before...

“Mrs. Alabaster,” the secretary called as she pushed herself away from the typewriter, “you can’t go in there Ms. Swarthly is busy...

"Pepper Marie Rose, if I hear the words 'cell phone' again, you are grounded." My mom liked to threaten me with grounding, but what would...

"Hey, dad, what'cha thinking about? You've been in this room staring at the wall for an hour or more," Junie sat on the coach opposite...

"Edie, how 'bout a game of M.A.S.H?" a girl dressed in an oversize sweatshirt, white leggings, and pink hi top Reebok shoes giggled as...

As I curl up to sleep, the rainbow bridge beneath my feet, I turn to look the way I came but do not see the land of man. An angel comes...

"Bring the tea and cornbread to the front room, Sami dear." Sami's grandmother called over her shoulder as she skirted around a poodle, a...

Peals of feminine laughter wafted through the air like perfume. One giggle, high and sweet, punctuated the flamboyant throaty gales with...

"Harper, stop looking at me like that," stabbing a sausage link with a fork, Genie bit off the end with a snap of her teeth, and with her...

Intelligent blue eyes are closed in contented sleep. Patience is his virtue, loyalty his life's debt. Coarse brownish-green grass tickles...

"Harper?" "Yeah?" "What is that?" "A dog." "I know it's a dog, but what kind. I've never seen a dog that big before." "A Were." "What!"...

"Mom, someone spilled milk all over the floor!" Marty gasped, pointing at a spot on the kitchen floor. "Watch out or you'll step in it."...

You. Have. Fifty. Seven. Voice messages. First voice message. *beep* "Jackie, it's your mom. When you and Tom get home, give me a ring....

"Eli, I've a job for you," twining his hands on top of his head, a grin curved above a gap in a chipped tooth smile, Tyn hocked a loogie...

"Grandma!" "Yes, dear..." "Did Aunt Sue bring Tyler to visit over the weekend?" "Yes, why?" "Tyler ate all the chocolate from the...

The bottom dresser drawer, crammed with memories, was pulled open. Thick albums, spines cinched by frayed bits of yarn vied for space...

"Mistress Maureen, you can not continue this fostering of ill morals with the youth of the waterfront. The Faithful and I believe..."...

"I'll have the double 'Biggun' with the full show and a side of the cheesy 'Biggity' fries with bacon crumbs and sour cream. Oh, and a...

"Mom, dad needs a flashlight." flicking on the bedroom light, Matt rummaged through one of the dressers. Without finding what he was...

"Okay, Tec, what time is it?" The small capsule brightened with the sound of his voice. An artificial glow illumined the bare walls and a...