Maria Hope grabbed her black converse that sat by the screen door. Her mother always said that \u201cthose converse were a boy\u2019s shoe,\u201d but Maria found no offense in those claims. She tied up the mud-stained, white laces and then ran out the screen door, hearing it slam shut behind her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaria!\u201d she could hear her mother yell as she ran out of the front yard, \u201cbe back before dark!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maria slowed down as she neared the field. The dirt road was empty, and the sun was hot. Typically, she saw no other person on this lonely road. She usually had it all to herself. Except for that ridiculously hot summer day, when she came across a young boy, who sat hugging his knees on the side of the empty dirt road. She slowly approached the boy who was, at that moment, unaware of her existence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhatcha doin?\u201d she asked hesitantly. The boy jerked his head up and placed his hands on the ground, ready to jump up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSorry, I didn\u2019t mean to scare you,\u201d she said fidgeting with the hem of her pink floral dress that hit just above her knee. Unsuspecting any danger, she plopped down beside the boy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy name is Maria Hope,\u201d she stuck out her hand for him to shake it. The boy, still looking half-stunned and somewhat annoyed, just looked at her. She dropped her hand down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDid your parents not teach you any manners?\u201d she asked giggling, \u201cthat\u2019s ok, I don\u2019t mind,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maria looked around at her surroundings. The dirt road sat alone separating a large field and some woods. The sun beat down on the lonely road. The flat, open terrain made Maria feel small. Although she walked this road almost every day, she never really took the time to stop and embrace the atmosphere around it. She looked back over at the boy, who just stared at her with his mouth half open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell,\u201d Maria began, \u201cyou should come with me. I\u2019m going to the woods, just down the road here,\u201d she pointed down the road. Then she stood up and swiped the dust off her dress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, see you around, I guess,\u201d Maria stated as she began to continue down the road. She walked towards the fence post that stood alone on the left side of the road. This was where Maria would enter the woods. Then, she heard footsteps behind her and turned to see the boy running up to her. His bare feet throwing up dirt as he ran. He finally caught up with her and they walked together to the fence post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When they reached the fence post, Maria stopped. Here is where she took the time to admire the surroundings. The skinny trees which towered high above Maria, the beautiful colors, and if she closed her eyes, she could focus on birds singing love songs. Then she continued, once again, into the woods. A day like that sweltering summer day was the perfect time to be in the shaded woods. Especially woods that had a creek. As they walked over fallen leaves and sticks, Maria wondered about the boy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you have a name?\u201d she asked. The boy swallowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s ok, you don\u2019t have to tell me. You don\u2019t have to tell me anything actually-\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDavid,\u201d the boy said, \u201cMy name is David,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere do you live?\u201d Maria questioned as she climbed over a fallen tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDown off, uh, Mansfield Road,\u201d David replied climbing over the tree after Maria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMansfield!\u201d Maria exclaimed, \u201cthat\u2019s almost three miles away! What are you doing over here?\u201d she stopped and looked at him, concerned. He shrugged his shoulders, showing no sign of concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo your parents know your this far out?\u201d Maria asked in a worried tone as David kept walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, they don\u2019t care,\u201d David kept walking through the woods even though he didn\u2019t know where he was going, \u201cwell, my mom does care a little, but she just listens to my father,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, and so your father doesn\u2019t care?\u201d Maria questioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNah,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy not?\u201d Maria wondered. David shrugged his shoulders in response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got bills to pay and a family to provide for,\u201d David spoke in a mocking tone. Maria stopped walking and turned to look at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFunny that he says that cause\u2019 he just spends his money on beer, and a stupid statue of a rooster that he put in the front yard,\u201d David picked up a stick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s interesting,\u201d she was unsure of how to respond, \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not your fault; besides, you should be sorry for my little brothers,\u201d David continued walking, slashing the stick at little green plants along the trail, \u201cthey\u2019re twins, and I have to take care of them a lot,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat are their names,\u201d Maria asked as she got in front of David to lead the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLuke and John,\u201d David responded, throwing his stick off in the distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHmm, catchy,\u201d Maria laughed, \u201care they really close?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d David chuckled, \u201cIt\u2019s two against one when I\u2019m around them,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maria walked under the half-fallen tree, which meant that the creek was close. She finally began to hear and see the little creek in the distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou come out hear a lot?\u201d David asked as they came upon the creek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust about every day,\u201d she smiled. The creek welcomed her with the sounds of gentle running water. She could almost feel the sensation of the crisp, cool water rushing around her feet. She began to untie her converse and then she set them upon a nearby rock. David, having no shoes to take off, gladly walked into the creek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so cold,\u201d David turned to look at Maria, somewhat surprised, since it was so hot out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt runs all year long, so the water stays cold,\u201d Maria replied as she walked into the creek. David let out a laugh and then sat down in the almost two feet of water. Then he leaned back, submerging his head under the moving water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maria and David stayed in the creek for close to an hour, until they became somewhat tired and decided to go to the shore and sit on the rocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe stones are thirsty,\u201d Maria stated as cupped her hands, scooped up some water, and then poured it over the rock that she was sitting on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re just rocks,\u201d David chuckled in response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe, but I think they\u2019re special,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re pretty strange,\u201d David told her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThanks,\u201d Maria laughed, \u201cmy mom says it\u2019s ok to be different, she tells me that I\u2019m one of a kind,\u201d Maria noticed David smile, and then look away, but his smiled faded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, I\u2019m sorry, I didn\u2019t mean to make you sad,\u201d Maria responded. David shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNah, you didn\u2019t make me sad,\u201d he paused as he picked a blade of grass beside him, \u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019re happy,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou deserve to be happy too, you know,\u201d Maria replied. David, once again, shook his head from side to side. Maria noticed the sun was beginning to set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey, I\u2019ve got to get home,\u201d Maria stood up. David reluctantly stood up also.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not allowed to stay out after dark?\u201d David questioned. Maria shook her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy mom doesn\u2019t like me to,\u201d she responded as began to put her converse back on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, yeah, well-,\u201d David began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be out tomorrow though,\u201d Maria told him. David smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo will I,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, I can meet you at the creek then, since you know where it is now,\u201d Maria said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOk,\u201d David agreed and then stuck out his hand. Maria smiled and then shook his hand. She then began to make her way out of the woods and onto the dirt road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She began to hear the crickets and could feel a slight drop in the temperature as she walked back. As much as she didn\u2019t want to think about it, she knew that David would not be going home for some time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next day, Maria decided to pack some food and water to take with her to the creek. Once she had packed two chicken salad sandwiches and two bottles of water in a bag, she slung it over her shoulder and began to make her way to the creek. Upon arriving at the creek, she set the bag down and observed the area. It seemed as though David hadn\u2019t arrived yet. She began to untie her converse as she sat on the big, flat rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey,\u201d David\u2019s voice appeared, \u201clook what I\u2019ve built,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maria turned to her left to see David appear from the woods. She stood up and could see a little fort that David had built with some fallen sticks and limbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow long did it take you?\u201d Maria asked curiously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot too long, I got it up before dark,\u201d David responded with a proud tone in his voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBefore dark?\u201d Maria questioned, \u201cyou mean you stayed out here last night?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d David responded enthusiastically. Maria\u2019s mouth dropped open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDavid,\u201d she spoke harshly, \u201cthat\u2019s not safe,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d David chuckled, \u201cI do it all the time,\u201d he then walked over to the creek and began to walk around, splashing the water by kicking his legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou mean you haven\u2019t been home since yesterday?\u201d David nodded his head and seemed unbothered by Maria\u2019s concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, at least I brought some food,\u201d Maria picked up the bag and held it out to him. David ran out of the creek and sat down on the rock beside Maria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReally! I\u2019m starving,\u201d David tore open the bag and began to scoff down the first sandwich. Maria sat quite stunned as she observed David. He truly was starving. He swallowed the last bite of the first sandwich and then grabbed the other one. Before he bit into it though, he paused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWere you going to eat this?\u201d He asked. Maria shook her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDavid, you have to go home,\u201d Maria said hesitantly as she watched David devour both sandwiches and the waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI will,\u201d David wiped his mouth, \u201cwhen I think it\u2019s ok to go back,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat about your brothers?\u201d Maria replied. David sat silent for a moment, then he rubbed his forehead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, I got to go back,\u201d he spoke quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
David and Maria spent the rest of that day playing in the creek. However, they both knew that the fun time would end, understanding that David would have to return home. Acknowledging that he would be in some type of trouble, David told Maria that he didn\u2019t know when he would be back. Thus, reluctantly, the two parted ways, unsure of when they would meet again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the next five days, Maria went to the creek, however, David was never there. When one week passed, Maria decided that she would wait three more days and if she didn\u2019t see David, she would go and find his house, to make sure that he was still alive. Although it was still a sizzling summer day, the sun was not that bright. Grayish clouds were slowly overtaking the blue sky as Maria walked down the dirt road. The wind blew harshly, continuously stirring up the dust into her eyes. She could see the dark grey storm clouds coming nearer in the distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She began to run toward the fence post, where she would enter the woods. Running quickly, yet cautiously, she made her way over the fallen sticks and leaves. She came upon the creek and stopped running. And to her surprise stood David, leaning on a tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDavid!\u201d Maria said excitedly, \u201cyou\u2019re back!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d David chuckled, \u201cstill alive,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Maria asked as she sat down on the big, flat rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, whenever I got home, my parents weren\u2019t too mad,\u201d David sat down beside her, \u201cbut my dad took me with him to the rock quarry, where he works,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe rock quarry?\u201d Maria spoke in a haunted tone, \u201cyou mean the one that\u2019s a full day away? The one where people die?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d David paused, \u201cyeah, I worked really hard, and they want me to come back,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, you can\u2019t,\u201d Maria shook her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy not? I\u2019m still alive,\u201d David stood up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow many people did you see get killed?\u201d Maria demanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThree,\u201d David spoke quietly, \u201cI got caught in the middle of a gun fight actually,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maria stood up and threw her hands in the air. The wind was picking up a lot, so she struggled to keep her hair out of her face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you hear yourself? I only saw three people die,\u201d Maria questioned him forcefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, but the pay is really good. I can buy my own food now, Maria,\u201d David paused, \u201cbut you wouldn\u2019t understand that,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook, I\u2019m just trying to look out for you,\u201d Maria responded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t need you to look out for me,\u201d David stood straighter. Maria slowly began to nod her head as she began to feel small, cold raindrops hit her skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFine,\u201d Maria awkwardly fidgeted with the hem of her dress, \u201cguess I\u2019ll see you around then,\u201d She then turned quickly and began to run away from the creek. The rain was coming down steadily now and it was cold on her skin. She ran onto the dirt road, which would soon be turned into a mud road. Her feet hit the ground hard as she ran with anger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaria!\u201d She heard her name being called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaria, wait!\u201d David yelled after her as he ran behind her. Since he was faster, he caught up to Maria and grabbed her arm, slowing her down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Maria yelled, \u201cI thought you didn\u2019t need me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not what I said!\u201d David yelled in response, \u201cI said I don\u2019t need you to look out for me, that doesn\u2019t mean that I don\u2019t want you to,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maria opened her mouth as if to say something, but she said nothing. She realized that David was saying that he was sorry. Maria looked at David. His white shirt was soaked and was see through now. His brown hair was dripping wet and stuck to his head. She could see raindrops fly off his eyelashes every time he blinked. He breathed heavily and had a look of desperation in his eyes. Unsure of what to say, Maria gave him a hug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome on, we should get out of the rain,\u201d Maria said as she squinted her eyes, trying to see better in the now down pour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maria and David ran to her house. They ate peanut butter sandwiches and played a few card games before going back outside once the rain had stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere\u2019s your dad?\u201d David asked Maria when they were walking along the dirt road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe um, he passed away three years ago,\u201d Maria responded bluntly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, I didn\u2019t know,\u201d David was slightly shocked, \u201cwhy didn\u2019t you tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere was never a good time to bring it up,\u201d Maria shrugged her shoulders, wiping the sweat off her brow. It was extra humid out since the rain had just ended. The sun was bright, and Maria thought she could smell the mud and the wet grass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWas it hard?\u201d David asked her. Maria began to nod her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d she paused, \u201cI forgot to give him a hug the last time I saw him. He was in a car wreck,\u201d Maria suddenly stopped talking. She had never told anyone about how she didn\u2019t hug her father before he died and it was stirring up that feeling of sadness, and she didn\u2019t like sad things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe school starts in two weeks,\u201d Maria spoke, changing the subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d David agreed, \u201cthe boys are gonna make so much fun of me,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d Maria asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCause\u2019 I\u2019ve been hanging around a girl,\u201d he responded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh please! You poor thing,\u201d Maria laughed. Then she picked up a scoop of mud and threw it at David. Hitting his shoulder, the mud splattered with part of it going onto his face. Maria laughed even harder and began to run down the dirt road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maria and David spent the next two weeks spending all the daylight they got at the creek. Building forts, bridges, and swings, they had created their own paradise. However, once school had started, they couldn\u2019t do that anymore, except in the afternoon. After the first week of school though, Maria saw less and less of David. Eventually he stopped going to school and he even stopped going to the creek. One day, Maria found him at the creek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou better have a good story,\u201d Maria approached him as he sat on the flat rock, tracing the lines with his finger. David said nothing in response and instead just looked forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUm, David, hello!\u201d Maria spoke up. David stood up, revealing a black eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry about me anymore, Maria,\u201d David walked past her as spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d Maria was getting more frustrated. David stopped walking and turned to face her. He stuck out his hand, waiting for Maria to shake it. She shook her head from side to side, refusing to shake his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy would I do that?\u201d Maria questioned, \u201cI\u2019ll see you tomorrow, when you finally decide to show up at school,\u201d David dropped his hand and began to shake his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUse your words, David,\u201d she demanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re leaving,\u201d he stated, \u201cmy dad lost his job here so, we\u2019re going to the rock quarry, we\u2019re leaving,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maria didn\u2019t know what to say. She took a deep breath, trying to understand what David had just told her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSorry,\u201d David said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll see you again, right?\u201d Maria asked, quietly. David shrugged his shoulders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe,\u201d he paused, \u201chopefully,\u201d It was silent for a moment. Maria studied the ground beneath her. The dirt was dry and covered with small pebbles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI got to go now,\u201d David put his hands in his pockets. Maria looked up at David. His left eye was red, from where he had been hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI never noticed that you have green eyes,\u201d Maria blurted out. David smiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll see you around, Maria Hope,\u201d he responded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSee you around, David,\u201d Maria replied. David took a deep breath and then turned to exit the woods. Maria was left standing in the big woods all by herself. Although she was used to being alone and had often enjoyed it, after spending the summer with David, she had grown to hate it. Maria sat on the flat rock and brought her knees close to her chest. She didn\u2019t cry and she didn\u2019t laugh. In fact, she sat with no emotion written on her face. I didn\u2019t give him a hug. <\/em>Maria jumped up. She then took off running out of the woods. The sun was beginning to set, making her realize that she sat in the woods for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No, no!<\/em> Maria thought to herself as she ran down the dirt road. Maria didn\u2019t stop running until she got to Mansfield Road, which was three miles away from the creek. Tears began to slowly trickle down her face as she ran harder. Her legs and chest burned, but she couldn\u2019t stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She began to run down Mansfield Road, actively looking for a house with a rooster statue and a sold sign. The houses were far away from the road, and they were spread far apart. However, in the distance she could see a small house on the right side of the road. As she came upon the red, rickety mailbox, she stopped running. She saw the sold sign in the front yard and a tipped-over statue of a red rooster. She then began to run down the long, gravel driveway. There were no cars at the home and no furniture on the front porch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She ran up the old wooden steps and knocked on the screen door. She heard nothing. Tears began to flow, and she began to breathe heavily. She opened the screen door and then opened the door, which was surprisingly unlocked. She walked inside an empty room. The house smelled like cigarette smoke and water damage. No one was home. Everyone was gone, except for Maria who stood lifeless and limp in the empty front room. She slowly walked out of the house and then sat on the front porch step. With no one around, or even nearby, she hugged her knees and began to cry softly. Maria began to realize that she would probably never see David again. After all, the rock quarry was a dangerous place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The crickets were loud. The sun was almost completely away for the night. Yet, Maria still sat on that front porch step. Taking a deep breath, she dried her tears. Coming to the realization that she hated goodbyes; she stood up and began to walk away from Mansfield Road. As she walked past the fence post, she realized that once again, it was just her and her black converse on that lonely dirt road.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Maria Hope grabbed her black converse that sat by the screen door. Her mother always said that \u201cthose converse were a boy\u2019s shoe,\u201d but Maria found no offense in those claims. She tied up the mud-stained, white laces and then ran out the screen door, hearing it slam shut behind her. \u201cMaria!\u201d she could hear […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":5596,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"art_contributors":[411],"literary_contributors":[427],"class_list":["post-5611","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fiction","art_contributors-camp-roger","literary_contributors-conrad-l-f"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novusliterary.com\/2025-archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/Novus-25Blue_Reflection_on_Gondola_Venice_Italy-scaled.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novusliterary.com\/2025-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5611","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novusliterary.com\/2025-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novusliterary.com\/2025-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novusliterary.com\/2025-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novusliterary.com\/2025-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5611"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/novusliterary.com\/2025-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5611\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5612,"href":"https:\/\/novusliterary.com\/2025-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5611\/revisions\/5612"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novusliterary.com\/2025-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5596"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novusliterary.com\/2025-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5611"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novusliterary.com\/2025-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5611"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novusliterary.com\/2025-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5611"},{"taxonomy":"art_contributors","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novusliterary.com\/2025-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/art_contributors?post=5611"},{"taxonomy":"literary_contributors","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novusliterary.com\/2025-archive\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/literary_contributors?post=5611"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}