Farris never shuts up. I live next door. He keeps his Stars and Stripes in plain view.

“Look at this area. It’s going to welfare.” Farris says that about once a week.

“Is that right?” I’m often too tired for his nonsense.

“You know, this area had a chance once. Now, it’s just welfare.”

“Really?”

“Why should I pay to support people who don’t work?”

“Why should you?”

“I shouldn’t. I pay my own way. Why am I paying taxes to keep them going? The more I work, the less they do. What kind of fair is that? I do all the work, and these welfare families take it. I do my fair share.”

He’s known for his lazy work ethic. “More than your fair share.”

“And those illegals.”

I grin full well knowing where he’s headed. “Don’t even get me started.”

“Taking our jobs.”

Like we want what they do. “Yeah. I really wanted to mow Larry’s yard but he’s got someone doing it for cheap.”

“Build a wall! It’ll keep them out. Trump tried to save this country. They wouldn’t let him.”

“Really?”

“We gotta do something about the illegals.”

“I’ll think about it. You know, since it’s supposed to help. I need to get off to work. I’ll see you.”

Later that day, I run off to the nearest Lowe’s and buy some 2 by 4 boards. I figure 8 feet high is tall enough.

I start the wall between our houses on my side of property line. It doesn’t take long before I have my own wall. I sit out on my porch and wait for him to pop out again.

After the sun goes down, he pops back out. I see him from the porch.

He calls up. “That’s a nice fence you have up there.”

“Not nice enough. It’s not keeping out the illegals.” I grin meaning him.

“Don’t worry, we’ll get him back in office.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” And that’s when I realize he’ll never pick up on anything I do.

Why wont they listen?

It’s wrong and they know it’s wrong but they chose to turn a blind eye “It was for educational purposes” they say but how is saying or doing such vile things for education?

Your so quick to move if someone has something in their mouth like gum But the things you say and do are except-able?

Racism is nothing to you but if someone’s dyed their hair now it’s an issue, if someone cropped their pants now it’s an issue?

Keep the same energy for these things but racism.

“Black lives matter” but they only do when it’s trending or if they are scoring the goals but one mistake and now it’s all wrong.

There’s so much stuff we can’t do because of the colour of our skin but apparently “we have our rights already and should just get over it”.

People are such hypocrites and they know it but when we speak they won’t listen.

I remember readning about Charles M Schulz in bible study. C .S. Lewis as well, but that’s a whole other bag of chips. Mr Schulz. C’s

Israel pushed the creaky wooden door of her apartment open. She stood at the entrance for a long few minutes. With a sigh, she kicked the door closed behind her. Dropping her backpack on the ground with a thud, she fell backwards onto her mattress, the springs bouncing her up a little. All she could hear was her still racing heart, the bang of a gun….the open eyes of her dead best friend….she stared at the ceiling, still in shock.

“Come on! Collage will be fun! We can get an apartment together and everything,”

Why had Israel listened to her best friend? If only she had future sight. Then she could have kept her far away from campus. One day maybe people would get a life, maybe some therapy and put down their guns. Why even sell them to people? Why not just sell them to the military? That would solve a lot of the worlds problems if you asked Israel.

That night she tossed and turned, sobbing. Her breath caught in her throat resulting in odd hiccups following the ending of the cry.

Three days from that nightmare, she would attended the funeral not only for her friend, but for all the victims the shooter had claimed. Families broke down at the caskets and she couldn’t take it. Finally she left, hoping that one day people, especially young children, wouldn’t need to be scared of a shootings.

According to the Clinical Child and Family Psychological Review, “grandfamilies is the term coined as a result of the opioid epidemic. It describes the current societal issue of a whole new generation of grandchildren being raised by their grandparents.”

“Grandma, grandma”, the little girl cried with tear filled eyes. “Where’s my mommy and daddy?” Looking down at this beautiful child, the old women’s heart broke. She was so sweet and innocent and didn’t deserve any of this. Her daughter had OD’d again and this time they almost didn’t bring her back. A Walmart employee had found them in their car passed out when she got off work. As the woman walked to her car, she thought she heard a child crying. She tentatively walked up to the car, and saw the couple was passed out. Not again, she thought as she pulled her phone out. How many did that make now? It was then that she saw the child in the backseat. “Can you help my mommy and daddy? I can’t get them to wake up.” The little girl looked so tiny and scared in the backseat.
“I didn’t know what to do? Mommy told me I had to stay in the car, or I’d get in trouble,” the little girl sobbed. “And I couldn’t find mommy’s phone anywhere.” The women finished the 911 call and held her hand out, “It’s okay, I’m here now. Help is already on it’s way, “ The nice lady then asked the little girl if there was anyone she could call for her “Mm, mm, my grandma maybe,” the frightened little girl stuttered. “She made me memorize her phone number.” The women dialed the number and then told the child’s grandmother where they were at and what was going on. Luckily her grandma didn’t have to far drive. The police and EMS had already arrived by the time the old woman got there. The little girl’s daddy was doing okay now, other than a pair of handcuffs. The little girl’s mommy was still out as the paramedics frantically rushed around her. One EMT gave her a second dose of Narcan, 2 more were doing CPR. She had stopped breathing and her color was horrible. It didn’t look good.

Just when the EMT’s were about to use the paddles, the mom shot straight up, moaning loudly. Now that the older woman knew her daughter was fine, she earnestly began looking for her granddaughter. The woman started to panic when finally she saw the little girl sitting inside Walmart. Grandma rushed to her, picking her up. Searching the little girl head to toes, making sure she was okay. “I didnt know what the do, grandma. Am I in trouble? Are mommy and daddy okay. I was so scared. I tried and tried to get them to wake up,” the little girl cried. “Yes my dear your parents are okay, and no, you aren’t in any trouble. You did so good honey, I’m proud of you.” Grandma profusely thanked the employee over and over. They both were thinking about what could have happened if the cashier hadn’t spotted their car. Grandma said a quick prayer thanking God, she was alright. They walked over to the police car and grandma asked the officer if it was okay to take the little girl home. The officer nodded and then informed the grandma that the little girl’s mommy was going to the hospital for observation and her daddy straight to jail.

“They will definitely be charged with possession, paraphernalia and child endangerment. And their first court appearance will be Monday at 9am,” the officer then gave her some more information and told her she could take her granddaughter home. “Rather a family member take her then scare her more with a stranger from CPS.” The cop looked down at the young girl and saw his own grandchild. He bent down eye level and told her how proud of her he was. “You were so brave. Now go on home with grandma. I’ll take care of your mommy and daddy, okay?” “Are they in big trouble?” She asked him. “We’ll see, for now we are just trying to get them better,” he responded. “Th, th,the thank you,” the little girl responded. “Your very welcome young lady,” he said smiling down at her. “Now you head on home.” They were eating breakfast at the table a week later when the little girl asked her grandma where her parents were. “Your mommy and daddy are very sick. They are going to a place to help them get better,” the grandma replied. “Like last time?” the little girl said. “It’s a different place this time,” grandma replied. Pushing back the thought that it hadn’t worked before so why was it this time.

The little girl began crying. “I miss them so much! When can I go see them?” She asked with tear filled eyes.

The old woman hugged her tight comforting her as she cried. The old woman hadn’t been entirely honest with the little girl. Her daddy was actually on his way back to prison for violating his parole. Her daughter was being offered a spot in their drug court. The first 3 months were inpatient, then graduating to some privileges.. But it still was going to be a very long road and this wasn’t their first rodeo. But she now she had her hands full, raising her granddaughter. Hoping that she didn’t somehow screw her up too.?

Ahem. Knocking softly. He might be asleep. I hear the creak of a bed spring and then his big flat feet on the floorboards. The door unceremoniously opens. He's standing there. Wearing, hmm three sweaters I'd say. Beanie hat. Ripped jeans. Simpsons slippers. 'Y'alright Mate?' 'Yeah just wondered if you wanted to chip in for some ingredients pal. My mum's lent me her crockpot you see. Thought I'd make a curry and freeze some. You're welcome to some mate. If you like?' 'Yeah yeah sure. Thanks buddy. I'd like that.' 'Cool yeah well I'm just heading down to farm foods now, if you want anything?' 'Don't think so Mate. You're not going into town are you?' 'Nah, it'll be shut by the time I get down there.' You scratch your foot head and furrow your monobrow. 'It's only twenty minute drive innit?' 'Yeah but I don't have a car. Had to sell it to pay for my lad's operation.' 'Oh right. Get a good price for it did you?' 'Six grand, it was an old couple. You know chapel road? Wanted to get their grandson a first car. It makes me laugh. Six grand! Still. It's helped me out no end like.' 'Yeah. How is he?' 'He's alright like you know, he's very good like that. He don't complain. As long as he's got his toy cars and football cards. He's a good lad. And the doctor said they have high success rates on this one. So fingers crossed.' ' He's in my thoughts and prayers mate. And I mean that.' He grabs my shoulder and give my back an earnest pat. His amber eyes widen gingerly under that furrowed brow and he nods continuously. I think he's waiting for me to say something but the words get stuck in my throat. ' Thanks mate. Best get going. I've turned the heating off.' 'Cheers pal.'

It's been 2 years.

Living on this nightmarish planet has brought nothing but pain to me and my family.

I can no longer see the land we used to inhabit, taken away by the waves and deserted in an endless ocean. What have we done?

Sweat beaded my forehead as I took plate after plate out of the cabinet and stacked them on the counter. “Turn the air down, will you Jack?” I yelled, careening my neck to where Jack was lugging dressers and various other pieces of furniture down the stairs. His jeans were sagging and muddy and his baseball hat was caked with sweat. I vowed then and there to wash it the first chance I got. He claimed he didn’t need movers to move stuff for him saying he was man enough for the job, and I didn’t argue, figuring we would need the money.

“Give me a second Loren!” He grunted as he dragged an exquisite white dresser out the front door which lingered open, letting in the mid-July heat and worsening my headache. He re-emerged a second later, wiping his hands on his pants and leaving the door wide open.

“God, Jack, do I have to do everything for you?” I muttered stalking over to the door and slamming it, grinning when he jumped from the noise. He was bigger than a bear but was no more frightening than a rabbit. He was also very easily scared, also alike a rabbit.

“You try moving all these heavy furniture pieces up and down the stairs for an hour, Loren, and then we’ll see how you feel,” he said, tapping his grime covered boot on the floor. With each connection he shook more dirt onto the floor, and I really wanted to defy him for it but my pride overtook my cleaning machine.

I slammed the pot that I was holding down, unaware of the glass plate underneath it but didn’t flinch when glass shards flew everywhere. “You think I can’t drag furniture around just because I’m a woman?! That is so sexist Jack you’d be surprised, honestly.” I Chuck one of the glass shards at him, not really caring about the vows I made five years ago. Multiple times a day I even question whether or not I should have made those vows.

Jack raised his eyebrow, clearly unfazed by my sudden outburst. “Alright if it’s so easy you come over here and take this mattress down.” He crossed his arms and took a seat on the edge of our worn beige ottoman, giving me a ‘you’re going to hear an I told you so soon’ look with his huge brown eyes. But I’m not going to give, I know I can carry a mattress. I have been going to the gym every other day for years. Honestly he probably hasn’t even noticed- all he cares about is stupid video games. He probably pays his gaming console more attention then he pays me which is so messed up.

“Alright,” I bargained, “if I can carry this down the stairs without any struggle, you have to trash all of your video games, consoles, headsets. All of it. Without complaint.” I grit my teeth and narrow my eyes, daring him to rethink his doubt. But all he did was steely his eyes and yawn like this was no sweat and I’d fail. Oh how I’d show him.

I spotted the mattress that was at the top of the steep stairs and shrug. I used my favorite yellow velvet hairtie on my wrist to tie my hair back into a loose messy ponytail and walked up the stairs with an ‘I’m owning it’ stance, hoping Jack was watching. I picked up the stained old mattress which I hoped was going to go in the trash and started to descend the staircase. It couldn’t have been more than 20 pounds and I smirked at my husband, who was gaping at me like I had just fallen from the sky in a UFO or something.

Before I knew it I had made it to the bottom of the stairs with the mattress securely in my hands. “That was no sweat. Say bye bye to Minecraft, Jack. It was time you grew up anyways.” I took the mattress out to the porch, laughing when Jack growled in disappointment. Never underestimate your wives people. Women are quite a powerful force.

Why can’t we go? What, we don’t have money? Where did it all go? Inflation my dear, honey.

We work and work every day. But never get ahead. All we do is pay. Until we are both dead.

Times like these are tight. Keeping it all together Let’s just love not fight. We will make it forever. Tessa🦋

I’m feeling numb. This piece of plastic around my neck is putting a strain on how I live. I can’t eat, breathe, or sleep. Sparrow tried to help me take this choking hazard off my neck but she couldn't get it. We pecked and pulled at it but nothing would work. Finally, Crow came along and freed me in one bite. I feel lucky. Most birds wouldn't make it out of my situation. I thought being free would help me breathe again, however, I was wrong. I took one breath of air and felt a sharp pain in my lungs.” It’s the smoke produced by the human factories' ' Crow said. I nod and fly away. Is this way of life an absolute necessity? Can humans not comprehend a better approach to benefit both of our lives? What a sad life we live in.