Children are often protected by their parents from the financial realities of family life. When I was very young, my own mother and father were embarrassed by how tight their money was after they both left the Army in the …
The World Needs Survivalists by Andi Mezel
In October 2016, a friend of mine texted me to turn on the TV. A mandatory evacuation for all of Chatham County was in effect immediately. Hurricane Mathew, a category 5 storm, was hurtling towards Savannah GA. Every store was …
Parley Staff Picks: Editor in Chief, Camille Liptak
We’ve received a number of exceptional submissions, and Parley’s Editor in Chief, Camille Liptak has picked some of her favorites (in no particular order). When She Realized the Universe Was on Her Side by Lache S. Man, oh man do …
Orange Sherbet and Lemon Ice by Alexandra Hall
As I close my eyes and let the Valium seep into my bloodstream under my tongue, I imagine my happy places, just like my therapist told me. I let the tears fall from under closed lids like rain droplets from …
The Children of Bolling Air Force Base by Charlotte Kwong
We were the children of soldiers and airmen, and war ruled our blood. We terrorized the neighborhood with plastic lightsabers, garish nerf guns, and barbaric stories. We staged elaborate battles, splitting the neighborhood into warring factions with which to destroy …
A Veterans Day Tale of Struggle & Adversity by Devon Martinez
Andrew Stuckey is a black American veteran/hero who served his country through three wars. He wrote a book about his life called, Of a Black American Born. His wife, Marcelle Stuckey, was captured by Nazis during World War Two, because of …
The Affects of Alcoholism on a Marriage by Seletha Nelson
When one partner in a marriage is an alcoholic it changes the dynamics of how the marriage works. When we first started dating, I didn’t see the warning signs of him turning into an alcoholic. Call it love, call it …
A Lovely Day by Joshua Lee
I was woken up abruptly, “It’s time!” As we rushed out the door, I noticed how warm it was; the last few days had been cold and windy. It even snowed, which wasn’t typical for Virginia Beach; however, not this …