Rose's Thorns ~ by John S. McCormick

Sam Miller's phone rings at one o'clock in the morning. Once again, it's his sister, Rose Sellars, calling late crying hysterically. In between sobs, she tries to speak, "My children hate me. I must be a bad person for them to hate me so much."

Sam responds irritably, "Rose, I am tired of you calling me about those brats! You don't deserve what they put you through." "No. I must do something to make them feel this way.", she says softly. "Rose, they are adults in their twenties and thirties! They need to grow up and get over whatever issues they have with you and treat you right!", Sam says forcefully.

"They blame me for everything, including marrying Nick. The fact he is now dead isn't even good enough for them. They even blame me for the way Ted treated me. They say I deserved it.", Rose says as she starts crying heavily again.

Rose married Nick Sellars after twenty years of physical and verbal abuse while married to her kids' father, Ted Barker. After her divorce from Ted, she learned her high school sweetheart, Nick, was in prison. Rose believed in his innocence and married him while he was still in prison. She worked hard on his case eventually proving his innocence setting him free.

Unfortunately, after ten years in prison, Ted never adjusted back to the real world. He eventually committed suicide. Rose found his dead body next to hers in their bed. He had taken an overdose of her prescription medications.

All of her children frowned on all of this, especially her youngest daughter, Marie Porter. "Marie even said I can't see her daughter when she is born unless I get rid of everything in my life that reminds me of Nick.", Rose said. "Rose, that's bullshit! You're not going to do that, are you?", Sam says angrily. "I don't know what to do. I want to see my new granddaughter.", Rose says sadly. "You can't let Marie manipulate and control your life. Who is she anyways, but a spoiled immature arrogant brat! What the hell does she know about anything?", Sam says getting more upset.

"It's not just Marie. The others girls and Clay say horrible things to me.", Rose explains. In addition to Marie, Rose has twin daughters, Lynn Meyers and Tricia Phillips, which are her oldest kids. She also has a son, Clay Barker. "Rose, I am so sick of all this. It has to stop. Just don't talk to them anymore for a long time. Then maybe they will appreciate you more.", Sam says still upset.

Rose explains, "You're not a mother. That's easier said than done, and I want to see my granddaughter." "Well, it's your life, and I don't mean to sound rude, but I don't want to hear about anything they are doing or saying to you like this anymore. You do what you want.", Sam says firmly. "I'm sorry I bothered you with all this.", Rose says. "You didn't bother me. You can call me anytime you want to. I just don't want to talk about your kids anymore unless they are treating you right.", Sam says again firm. Rose and Sam end their conversation and say goodbye.

Sam still fuming, decides to send emails to all four of Rose's kids asking them to give their mother a break and treat her better. He tries to be very diplomatic in what he writes. He received in response extremely nasty emails basically telling him to mind his own business.

Marie's email was the nastiest. She said that Sam just made sure her mom would never see her granddaughter. She also said her mother was a shitty mother because her mother's mother, her grandmother, was a shitty mother, too. She went a step further and called Sam's side of the family white trash.

This infuriated Sam even more, but he didn't respond back to any of their emails or tried to contact them in any way. He didn't want to make matters worse. Sam later found out that all of Rose's kids blamed her for him sending his emails. This made Rose and her kids have an even more strained relationship. Sam felt horrible for his part in causing that.

Eventually, Rose took Sam's advice and moved across the country to live with him until she got a job and found her own place. In the meantime, Rose's kids are still blaming her for things. However, Marie has agreed to let Rose come to her daughter's first birthday where Rose will get to see her granddaughter for the first time.

Rose hopes in the near future that she and her kids can be a real family. Keeping his thoughts and opinions to himself these days, Sam doubts that much will change or for very long for Rose and her kids.

A Good Life ~ by John S. McCormick

Right before Ross Jacobs walks into the medical center, he takes a long look around. He sees the trees blossoming, a mother bird teaching her babies to fly and the soothing blue sky. He closes his eyes for a moment feeling the warmth of the sun on his face. The world seems so full of life and promise. He wonders if everything will feel the same way when he comes back out. Today is the day Ross hopes to learn why he has been feeling so ill for awhile now. He has had some loss of vision and severe headaches that have become constant recently. Ross swallows hard and enters the building.

Dr. Jeffery Michaels sees Ross right away. Ross feels pain in his stomach as they walk to the doctor's office. On the way, he sees posters showing healthy people. One shows a child with a puppy playing. Again, Ross feels the sense of life and promise. But, as they enter the doctor's office and sit down, he is wondering again if he will feel the same way when he leaves.

"Ross, all the tests came back, and we know what has been causing all your problems. I'm terribly sorry to have to tell you this, but you have inoperable brain cancer.", Dr. Michaels says solemnly and continues. " Although there is no treatment or cure, we can prescribe medications that may help to keep you comfortable."

The pain in Ross's stomach worsens and he feels a sense of panic. For a second, he sees a picture of Dr. Michaels's family on the credenza behind his desk. He thinks about the life and family he was planning with his partner. "Why is it inoperable and untreatable?", Ross sadly asks. "Your cancer has spread to most of your brain. There is no way to operate. If we do, you will die. Also, because of the severity of your condition, there is no successful treatment currently available.", Dr. Michaels explains.

"But I can't have cancer! I have too many people that depend on me!", Ross says with a lot of energy. "I understand and I am sorry. Now is the time to put things in order.", Dr. Michaels, says sympathetically. "How long do I have?", Ross asks a little frightened. "Things are going to get much worse very fast because of the stage of the cancer. You can expect to lose your vision completely in just a few weeks. And not soon after that, you will start to lose all bodily functions and need to be hospitalized.", the doctor sadly says. "How long to I have doctor?", Ross asks nervously. "At the most, six to eight weeks. I am so sorry.", Dr. Michaels says with tears in his eyes.

As Ross walks out of the doctor's office to the lobby he notices a poster of an elderly couple happy and looking like they are so in love. He realizes that will never be him and his partner. Once back outside the medical center, he sees the trees, sky and birds again. And, it hits him hard that there is no life or promise for him anymore. He is overcome with emotion and breaks down crying. He is terrified thinking about telling his loved ones and is not sure how to.

Ross has a partner, Sue Kennedy, and they have been together for sixteen years, yet they have never lived together. There are plans to buy a house soon and finally have a real life together. They also want to open a restaurant, since Ross is an aspiring gourmet chef.

There is also Ross's mother, Barbara Jacobs, who will be turning 75-years-old in a couple of months to tell. He has been organizing a huge surprise birthday party for her and now he won't be there for it. Having lost her husband and 45-year-old daughter in the last two years, Sam is afraid what this will do to her to learn she will be losing him as well. She still has difficulties with the other losses.

Finally, there is Ross's 24-year-old nephew, James Jacobs, to tell. James never knew his father and looks to Ross as a role model and father figure. James has plans to marry in a few months, and Ross is supposed to be his best man. James considers Ross his best friend.

When Ross gets home, before he contacts anyone, he takes a long look in the mirror and reflects on his life. He realizes his life was pretty good full of love and joy. He looks at himself a moment longer and then says goodbye to the life he has known.

Moments later the phone rings and it is Sue on the line. She asks, "How did it go at the doctor? Any news?" Ross takes a deep breath, while closing his eyes, and then opens them again. He begins to speak.

Good Night, Tommy ~ by John S. McCormick

Tommy looks out his bedroom window
At the clouds floating by
He imagines riding on them
To a grand adventure in the sky
He watches the birds flying by
Shakes hands with Mr. Sun
Waves to his friends below
Until the day is done

At night he sees Mr. Moon
Shining like a spotlight on him
Tommy is onstage, the stars his audience
He feels he can do anything
He sings songs with ease
Pulls a rabbit from a hat
Plays the piano
Dances with a cat

But now it is time for Tommy to go to bed
Close his eyes and dream of what can be
He knows everyone loves him
Tomorrow he soon will see

Good night, Tommy