Author: Martin Wiles

When the smell wafts through every crevice of our home and finally passes under my nostrils, my mouth waters. Fried chicken … southern style. There's nothing like it. My wife knows how to season it just right. I could eat it every day. … Read more

"Could I really be a one?" I wondered. And not because number one was actually number one in this scenario. I wanted to be a three. I sat in the webinar listening to the speaker describe teachers. Ones, twos, and threes. We were … Read more

For four years, we've been waiting. We've grown accustomed to "Hurry up and wait." My wife's list of medical ailments should convince any judge that she's eligible for disability. So what's the holdup? Probably her age. She's under 50. … Read more

There were at least three that I determined I would not compromise. Convictions are beliefs that I think are important enough to stand by, regardless of the temptation to do otherwise. I fashioned three early in life: I wouldn't cheat, I … Read more

He was the principal's son, but I wasn't making much headway teaching him history. I was in my fourth year of teaching at a local private school when the board of directors hired a new headmaster who had a son travelling through the … Read more

I watched anxiety darken her face. Where would the money come from? Our family budget has taken a severe hit over the last five years. Recently, we struggled through a summer without the income my wife was receiving from keeping an … Read more

The small tent can be set up by one, but it is much easier to erect with two people. I have a one-man tent. Two people can sleep in it, and have, but I have to like the other person extremely well to invite them in. If two use it, they … Read more

As we pulled into the parking lot, we were mesmerized by the mammoth beast lying before us. But there was nothing we could do but mount it. Enormous logs dotted the mountainside. My brother and I were on a two-day backpacking trip on the … Read more

How could anyone cheat an elderly person? And simply to pad their pocket. I was working my first job at an exterminating company — not my idea of the ideal job but all that was available at the moment, and it was paying my bills. Shortly … Read more

Some days, no matter how much I squint and rub, they just won't focus. I've been wearing glasses since I was elementary age. My eyes have grown progressively worse, and they didn't stabilize until I reached my forties. They are still … Read more