Tag: Family

Driving Detroit with Dad

“Dad would like you to drive the van,” my mom says to me. “It’s easier for him to get in and out of it.” Despite my dad’s notoriously poor behavior as a passenger, I immediately respond, “Sure, I’ll drive.” Then I conjure an image of how the rest of my family will react when they …

Continue reading

Coffee Shop Chronicles: Writing Letters

Tuscan Cafe Northville, MI What is that woman writing? “Hey, behind you,” I whisper to my husband. “There’s a woman writing.” We’re sitting along the wall in what I’m calling “our spot.” I seem to default here when I come in; the light is good and I’m out of the way from the main path. …

Continue reading

Coffee Shop Chronicles: The Virtues of Public Transportation

Espresso Royale Ann Arbor, MI “The niche is all yours,” the tall, lanky guy says, referring to this cluster of soft chairs he’s getting up from. “I don’t need all this space.  I like to be self-contained,” I say with a thank-you nod as I put my bag on one table.  Then I smile at …

Continue reading

Stories from the Grave

You drive by an intersection and take notice of a weathered and worn wooden cross poking up from the ground. Around it are faded silk flowers, some tattered stuffed animals, burnt candles, and remnants of hand-written notes that resisted being carried away by the wind. You know someone died in that spot and someone else …

Continue reading

Coffee Shop Chronicles: Playing Games

Tuscan Cafe Northville, MI It really does come down to games, Dominos or not. This afternoon is my writing time. I’m sitting at a table against the wall under the lamp shade so I have light to type by. I just finished two Americanos, light on steamed milk. The first Americano had a smidge of …

Continue reading