Love these stories. Keep 'em coming. I grew up in Grand Rapids and have spent many delayed hours in that airport. I love that it is now "International." When my sister got married in the 1960s, our New York family flew in for the wedding and the airport manager, a family friend, told the Santoriellos to stay on the plane until he rolled out a red carpet for them. Simpler times.
Nick, great story! And a mighty tough Piñata…what do they say “ they don’t make them like that anymore “. I was there next to you the whole story. Thanks for sharing
Love this one, Nick! Very relatable on an author level -- there's also a pinata story in my just-released collection, This Isn't New.
That's awesome, I'll check it out. More piñata stories!
You can read "Send in the Liar" in the collection, but it was also excerpted (in full), in The Colorado Sun a few months ago, along with an interview with me about This Isn't New. https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/15/sunlit-this-isnt-new-cynthia-swanson/
Great! Thank you!
Another smash hit! Sorry, it’s late, I’m aging and couldn’t resist that stupid pun. Loved the visuals sprouting up from your words. Onward.
Stupid puns are strongly encouraged around here. Thanks, Joel!
The expression of the mother at the end of your story really matches your mood in the airplane very nicely.
Ah, fun parallel!
Wow. I was completely riveted. Thanks, Nick!
It was a fun one to write!
Hi Nick,
Love these stories. Keep 'em coming. I grew up in Grand Rapids and have spent many delayed hours in that airport. I love that it is now "International." When my sister got married in the 1960s, our New York family flew in for the wedding and the airport manager, a family friend, told the Santoriellos to stay on the plane until he rolled out a red carpet for them. Simpler times.
Best,
Joey Porcelli (a Lighthose Writer)
Thank you, Joey! Times change, don't they. No red carpet for me on that trip.
Nick, great story! And a mighty tough Piñata…what do they say “ they don’t make them like that anymore “. I was there next to you the whole story. Thanks for sharing
Thank you, Eric!