I belong, as a contributing member, to a talented group of writers who are responsible for A Muse Bouche Review, a literary newsletter. It gives me a chance to write something new each month around a given theme, which I’m enjoying. The theme for December, 2023 is A Place to Belong and my contribution this month is a children’s science fiction story titled Home From the Stars. Here’s how it starts:

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My name is Ohio. Today I am going home for the first time.
 
I’m sitting on the floor in the middle of my empty room when Mom peeks in. “Come on, honey. It’s time to go.” I take one last look around. Everything has been packed up. Bits of tape are still stuck to the walls where pictures had hung.
 
I stand between Mom and Dad and wave goodbye to the pod that has been my home for 9 years, since I was born. Dad pushes the touch-pad and the door slides shut. The corridor is packed with people heading for the landing shuttle. “Okay,” I say, “I’m ready. Let’s go.” We join the crowd.
 
I feel my heart thumping in my chest. “Mom, I’m scared,” I say, shuffling my feet. “What if something goes wrong?”
 
Mom squeezes my hand. “Ohio, sweetie, you need to be my big, brave girl. Want to know a secret?” She bends down and whispers, “I’m a little nervous, too.”

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To read the entire story, and all the other pieces from this talented crew, check out the December A Muse Bouche Review, available here:

https://mailchi.mp/f6179a5b7cc5/a-muse-bouche-review-plots-parties-17071592?e=46f6fd2a9e