Ruth's Journals

     The coffee shop that Michael and Ken preferred to frequent was all but almost silent. Their voices were the only thing that seemed to illuminate the drabness and silence that dwelled within the quaint little coffee shop. This was no unordinary meeting for the two-- as this had been their weekly habit since Michael and Ken were youthful babes, just fresh out of college, and fresh in their new carefully curated office jobs. Sure, some time may had past, some hairlines may have begun to recede, and a crick had formed in Michael's back that had never been there before. But one thing that had remained true and unfailing during the increasingly trying times was the strength of the bond between old Michael and Ken.     "Something just feels completely off about today, I'm not sure why," Michael sipped his completely black coffee. In his younger years he might have added a little sugar to the bitter mixture, but sugar was bad, and Michael had enough bad things goin...

The Prefab Story Exercise By Ruth Robinson Luka could only barely conceal her feelings of disgust as she heard the tires of Niko’s ratty old bike screech and squeal their way to her family’s house. She couldn’t remember the last time she had seen Niko, for if Luka did, she would have only found herself even more angry. Luka brushed back her sleek black hair so that it would fall gracefully behind her, nervousness seemed to quickly replace any feelings of disgust she had. Niko really hadn’t changed since that last time she’d seen him-- he rode his bike with a crooked back, his moppy brown hair went in any direction the wind was. His dark brown eyes did not glimmer in the light like Luka thought they had used to. Instead, his eyes seemed dull and lifeless now. Thanksgiving had always been a fun celebration for the two former friends. The crisp chilly air of November coupled with the warmth and aroma of a feast always seemed like the perfect combination for Luka. She thought about wha...