The holiday season is a time for tradition; whether it’s within a family, a friend group, or a club, a lot of people have routine things they do each year around the holidays. For the community of Columbia,...

When Jason’s eyes take on a faraway, sleepy look, I can tell it’s time for all of us to head back to bed. Theo doesn’t protest when I make that suggestion; he barely even acknowledges me, he’s...

With Jason on the couch munching on some cavity-inducing cereal, and a bowl of leftover macaroni and cheese in front of him as well, I let myself rest for a second. I think about how Theo waited for us...

Suddenly more awake, I sit up. “What do you mean, someone took her?” I try to think of an optimistic spin. “Like on a date?” “No, stupid, like kidnapping.” His voice is drenched in sarcasm,...

Theo doesn’t say anything, but he manages to look everywhere but at me. “Are you serious?” I say, and snatch the empty bowl out of his hands. Not wanting to look at him, I run away to my kitchen...

Opening my cupboards, I look through them. It’s a little sparse, and I feel like eating cereal for dinner in front of my brother is a bad idea. He’d just report back to mom and I’ll get all kinds...

We pull into the apartment complex parking lot, and I can’t help but notice that he frowns a little as he looks out the window. I know Sunny Hills Apartments doesn’t live up to its name, but it’s...

If you haven't read part one, read it here. As I pack up my things, the mother comes up to me. If the smile on her face is any indication, I think I’m going to get a groovy tip. “All the children...