Boxes

by Belea T. Keeney

After being in a prison cell for two years, Hector hopes to get home and breathe easy. But he can't. His dead father's things wait for his attention, and his sister can't help with much of anything. Getting back to civilian life is always tough for ex-cons, and it's no different for Hector. Seems that he's boxed in. Again.

Genres: Short Stories, Family

12 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 23, 2011

About the author

Belea T. Keeney was born and raised in the balmy tropics of Florida and still dreams of velvet-humid nights, the smell of orange blossoms, and the croak of alligators. Her writing has appeared in Florida Horror: Dark Tales from the Sunshine State, The Beast Within, Men of Mystery, Sniplits, WordKnot, along with many other outlets. Her stories have placed in the Writers in Paradise Short Story competition, the 2010 Florida Review Editor's Choice Award, the 2007 Left Coast Writing Contest, and the 2011 Saints & Sinners Literary Festival. She works as an editor and spends her time off collecting caladiums, feeding birds, and, of course, reading.

Reviews

[Denise Burris GremoryKohta]

This isn’t a typical story. What this does do though is show what people go through when you lose someone and have to take on their role. Maybe I related so much because even though my parents are still with me, both have serious health issues and one isn’t mentally capable of daily life functions without assistance. Family members have all reacted in different ways. You have to find your core strength and what’s truly important.

[Maureen]

A super short but painfully touching tale as a young man goes through the boxes of his deceased Father's treasures and Mementos.

[Marcia Carrington]

Realistic short story with some moments of raw emotional power. Especially good was the depiction of a crumbling family unit, and the brother-sister conflict - overall, very well done.