Burdens

The House on Glass Beach #4.2

by Laura Susan Johnson

Alice is an overweight and overwhelmed woman whose mama has had a bad stroke. Aunt Sue and Alice's spoiled cousins are visiting for Easter. Just when life completely sucks in every way, Alice meets Sylvie, a young single mom who's got burdens of her own.

This story is part of a future short story collection from Laura Susan Johnson (author of Crush and Bright). This story is currently avail only as a short story in ebook format over at Smashwords.com, but will soon be avail as part of a collection of shorts called "the house on glass beach".

Characters: Alice, Sylvie, Mama, Aunt Sue, Lainie, Eddie

Setting: Uriah and Monroeville, Louisiana, USA

This story is connected to the worlds of Crush and Bright because Sylvie is an old school friend of Jamie Pearce's.

11 pages, ebook

First published December 1, 2011

About the author

Laura Susan Johnson has been writing since age eleven, cutting her teeth on tales of the family pets. Aside from writing, Laura Susan enjoys quilting, playing around with colorful makeup, clothing and hair colors, web design, and vegan cooking. She resides in California, Idaho, Arkansas, and the northern coast of Oregon.

Reviews

[Michelle MacIsaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

A much more lighthearted story than the other works of this above average writer. I would have liked more story told. Where will they go on their first date? How will Alice handle a ready made family of twin boys (I wanted so badly to read more about those babies!) It was nice to read that Alice's family apparently is aware of her homosexuality and does not heckle her about it. I was prepared to dislike her cousin Elaine and her Aunt Sue, but the author obviously didn't want "villains" in this story. It's just a sweet romance about two women whose lives have been difficult. I would give it 5 stars but I think it ended too soon. I'm sure there is more to their story!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very refreshing and fun and hilarious at times. Not a lesbian erotica, just a little love story about soul mates meeting in funny and quirky circumstances. Alice is a character that breaks your heart and makes you laugh at the same time. Pitch perfect comic relief about family ties and stress and life's surprises.

I can't wait for the rest of the stories!

[Bonny Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

alice works hard and her mom is newly disabled by a stroke. Her aunt is in town for easter vacation and her cousins are concieted and treat alice like she's a fat loser. Alice has no clue that her life is about to change that easter sunday. A sweet story that made me smile and it will make you smile too. This is the first story i've read from Laura johnson that made me laugh and smile so much!

[Leaflitterlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one. It's different than Crush and Our House not as bleak or dark, rather funny and cute instead. A burdened woman meets another woman with different burden. I agree there should be more to their story, so please write a sequel or something (:

[Trisha Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this short story from Laura Susan Johnson. I can't wait to read more from her!

[freeze · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only have 2 problems with this story: a. too short and b. not long enough! Hope there will be more to their story.