This book is a collection of short stories inspired by the people and things I see around me. There is some philosophy involved, in that each story is designed to show a truth that I believe I have isolated. Often truths we all know and could repeat if asked are not really understood by us. Then suddenly, something happens and we experience the "aha!" of realization. It is hard for us to believe that we knew this all along, because while we knew it, we were not convinced of its truth. We did not feel the reality of it. I attempted to put myself in other people's shoes to illustrate ideas by drawing a word painting in such a way that others might see it also. Most of these characters are under intense stress. Most react in unusual ways. The character's concept of the truth may differ from yours or mine. Even so, I hope you will be able to see the meaning behind each story, and to aid you in that I have prepared an author's commentary section at the end of each story.