Ch-Ch-Changes!

   "Panic.  Panic is the word that comes to mind," Curtis said to his new roommate down the hall.
   "Seriously?"
   "Yes!" Curtis exclaimed.  "I am not at all comfortable with this."  He marched down to where his roommate was sitting in the living room. 
   "You're the one who asked me to move in."
   "It's not that," he said holding up the bathroom trashcan.  "It's this."
   "...My old pads?"
   "Used!  Yes!"

Oy! Teenagers

   Sometimes I wonder why I wake up covered with chicken feathers and have a metallic taste in my mouth, but by now I've learned to just roll with it.
   The worst part is trying to get rid of all the feathers.  I can't wash them down a drain, because mom would just call a plumber and--Surprise!  How would I explain my way out of that one?  I can't throw them out my window.  Mom would find them in her garden when she's picking herbs or vegetables for lunch.  Flushing them in small groups down the toilet seems to be my most promising alternative, but just getting from my room down the hall past my little brother and sister's rooms to the main floor bathroom is challenging enough.
   Mom and dad always told me that I could talk to them no matter what.
   I think I'll pass on this one.

Thrifty Pinch

   Sylvia and her sister-in-law loved to shop at a local thrift store in their hometown, until one day they were walking downtown and saw a man running from the store with money flying behind him and a gun in his hand.
   Cries of help came from inside the store.
   The two called 911 and carefully stepped into the store.
   They shivered, because one gunman was still inside.

A Bright, Shinning Day at the Park

   Children of all the world run and play in the wooded city park as their parents watch in pairs or small, secluded groups.
   The grown ups read a block of the newspaper, answer a business call, or yell if their child wanders too far ahead of them.
   The children are laughing and leaping further ahead, growing together into young men and women of this world.
   Progress is already here.

A Surprise Wedding for the Reluctant Bride

   "Look, this is serious--I need you to bucker up, put on a nice, pretty dress, and walk out of this house."
  I hate it when my mother is bossy, especially when all she's doing is trying to get rid of me.  "I know you're up to something!  What's going on?  You can tell me!"
   "No, I can't," she shushed me.
   "Why Not?!"
   "Because you are your father's daughter."

What does it mean to be Brave?

   There was a time when I thought I could be brave, but looking at the point of my sword and the beast that stood before me, I knew I was a fool.
   I had never seen a creature like this--with fangs, fur, talons, and eyes red as the blood it has spilt from my dead companions around me.
   A snarl ripped from its snout.
   ... I sheathed my sword.

Irish Morning

   "Wake up," the bearded Irishman growled.  "No lass 'ill be fallin' for a bag-o-hay.  Up with ya," he said as he kicked dirt in the farm boy's face.  
   Caleb spit and raked his hands through his hair, then over his grimy face.  Crystal blue eyes pierced through the soot, "Suppose they'd like me like this, then?"
   "Sure!" the old man grinned.  "It's what they call a facial."

Having Second Thoughts

   Naomi woke up in her Manhattan apartment with her steak knife pressed against her throat.  A hand stifled her scream and pinpricks of light aggravated her adjusting vision.
   "Shh," a husky voice crooned as she wriggled away from the jagged blade.  "Quiet now," he said.  "We're just getting our things.  Then we'll be gone."
   Three other ski-masked figures pried open Naomi's squeaky floorboards with a crowbar and pulled out bag after bag.
   "We thank you for your cooperation, Miss," the one wielding her knife said.  "We hope you enjoy your new place.  Rest assured: you will never be seeing us again."
   In the morning Naomi took the subway to the nearest police station.  At the front steps of the precinct, her way was blocked.
   "That's not a good idea, Miss," the hushed voice from the night before urged.
   Eyes wide, mouth agape, heart racing, Naomi slowly backed away, turned, and ran from the man in blue.