... constant, bustling sound. Each "cook-d-jour" works efficiently and steadily; he is unable to notice the ever-so-noisy room. The space is ample for accomplishing the task at hand: fifteen guests along with the five family members is a perfect number of twenty. The guests shall arrive within the next few hours, for they know what to expect at the Squires ... year. My hands work dexterously, and my mouth waters uncontrollably; my love for my family overflows. The succulent baked yams covered with gobs of marshmallows makes for quite a treat. Thirty minutes is time enough to prepare the tra...

• Word Count: 1329
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... than a foot away from me, I realized that he had taken with him my fear of dying and replaced it with a peaceful understanding and acceptance of death. I clearly remember the last minutes of my grandfather's life. I was sitting on the couch in my grandparents" family room next to my younger brother Jim. Inches away from me my grandfather lay on a rented hospital ... the circumstances this, unfortunately would not come true. Looking at my grandfather fighting to breath I realized that he was struggling to stay alive. He was the cornerstone of a family of fifteen brothers and sisters. Eve...

• Word Count: 1781
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School