The Cost of Liberty

  - a short story - 

    Philadelphia, July 1st 1776

   Elisa's boots clapped along the cobblestones stones as she ran through the streets of Philadelphia, dodging people, horses and carriages in her path. It was early afternoon and stifling hot, making her skirts feel heavy in the dense air. She did her best ignore the discomfort as she rounded the street corner and came within sight of the State House, a large brick building where she knew a long awaited debate was being held. She could see a group of men huddled along the boardwalk outside,  easily spotting her father among them. Her older brother was standing not far off, holding the reins of his saddle horse. She made her way to his side and Myles looked up as she approached.

A Drop of Tea for Every Smile

   Dozens of glass teacups in their matching saucers lined the shelves of Grandma's china cabinet. Naomi stared, her elbows on the tabletop and her chin resting in her hands.
   “Why do you have so many teacups? You don't even use them all."
   Grandma turned with a little smile. In one hand she held a dusting cloth while the other gingerly fingered one of her prized cups.
   “Well, love, they're my memories. Some of them anyways.”
   “Memories?”
   Grandma chuckled. “If I had a drop of tea for every smile these cups have shared with me, then every one would be overflowing.”
   “Since when did teacups turn into memories, or smiles for that matter?” Naomi teased.
   “Let me show you.”

Jesus Loves Me

   Words. Just words. String them together to make a rhyme. She could do that.

   Anna sighed, rested her elbow on the desk and her forehead in the palm of her hand. Surely the words to a simple poem should not be so difficult to create. She tapped the desktop with the idle tip of her pen, then caught her bottom lip between her teeth and hastily scrawled a few lines onto the waiting parchment before her. She paused after a stanza and read them over again. They were lovely. Too lovely. They would never do.

A Whisper from Heaven

By Anita P. Seavey

Anita and Aliviah - 2011

     I cuddled the little bundle in my arms closer, marveling at the tiny new addition to my family and awestruck by the beautiful and miraculous event I had just witnessed. The sounds of hospital noises droned softly outside the little room, but I was intent on only one thing. Afternoon sunlight filtered through the window pane next to me, dancing across the tile floor and warming the face of my little sister. She was so perfect.

     I doubt if any of the nurses or midwife had ever seen an eleven-year-old girl in a birthing room before. Now they had.

     That morning had begun early, before the sun even thought of rising. I hadn't had trouble waking as I thrilled with the excitement of the day. My newest little sister was over-due and would be born today if all went according to plan, but unlike the last five of my siblings, I would be going along to the hospital.

Letters in the Snow

By Anita P. Seavey

To all those who died this day in history,
December 7, 1941, in the attack on Pearl harbor;
and to all those who fight to keep our country free.

Thank you.

     The snow was falling in great flakes that drifted from a gray sky to the frozen ground below. Austin pulled his knit cap farther over his ears as he tripped down the porch steps and trudged to the barn. Christmas lights from the house lit his way, but that evening didn't seem as special as it had always been through the years.

Letting Go

By Anita P. Seavey

     “So what are you going to do once you graduate high school?”

     Ashlynn was certain that she would go insane if she heard those words one more time. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate the care or interest others might have for her, but why did every one suddenly want to make certain you weren't going to ruin your life by not doing anything after high school?