“Arthur was born at 20 weeks, 4 days. He was dead when he came out of my body.”
2003 | Southern California | By C.J. ELLIOTT

“Bob insisted that I keep the argyles on; my socks were still wet. He stuffed another pair into my pack, ‘just in case.’”
1956 | Vermont and New York | By Lee Haas Norris

“The Scottish Marine shook his head. ‘Captain, please, there are women and children here.’”
Spring 2000 | San Diego/San Isidro-Tijuana border crossing | By PENELOPE JAMES

“My father, my own father, sent me out into the world to lie.”
Late 1970s | New York, New York | By M. I. CLUBB

“The circle around James had already formed when I arrived at the remote corner of the playground.”
1960s | Ocean View, Delaware | By JOSEPH TAYLOR

“I had feuded with my mother from the day I was born. She was always trying to break me.”
1972 | Lake Charles, Louisiana | By MARLA H. THURMAN

“To appear naked on television, or not to appear naked on television? It’s the most life-altering decision I’ve made to date.”
1992 to 2007 | New York and Vermont | By ARIEL

“We lay naked on the couch, floor, bed, table, wherever is new and can’t judge our past actions.”
June 2007 | Lubbock, Texas | By C.P. McPHERSON

“It isn’t enough that we call him Holly Dog; we also bark behind his back, loud enough for him to hear.”
1975 | Harrisonburg, Virginia | By JAYNE PUPEK

“The plastic tube attached to the respirator forces air into and out of her lungs 12 times a minute.”
March 1992 | Huntington, West Virginia | By SHAWN AYERS