I could make you, now, a detailed list of all the coverings, large and small, that I constructed to keep myself hidden…I used this passage as a prompt a few hours ago. An 8 minute writing exercise to hopefully initiate further creativity. Reading back I realize that the result was Read more
Resurrection time. I’ve been her before. It’s the nature of cycles and seasons. I thought I’d be ready to surface with the start of Spring, but even the grizzlies are late this year. It’s still the season of Spring cleaning, which means a purge of the camera roll. Imposing an Read more
I have a three syllable name. It is not uncommon for people to immediately want to truncate it. The other day a man I’ve met a handful of times called me Kim in greeting, it was warm and friendly and harbored no ill will. I don’t remember what automatic acknowledgement Read more
When I was a girl, the aunties were everything. They had the best outfits, told the best stories, gave the best presents. They also unleashed the worst punishment. They could have me in stitches one minute and then cut me down to dejected outcast with a stinging word. Jamaican aunties Read more
10 am Sunday January 26, 2020. A helicopter crashes in Calabassas, California. I am in Toronto stuffing five dollar bills into red envelopes. I double check my head count, there was a pregnancy announcement at the last family gathering, wait that was in November, my numbers are good. The family Read more
Aunt Gee is rare form today. Alzheimer’s is a no-win son-of-a-bitch disease. Most of the time she thinks I’m my dead brother which turns the visit into an emotional mine field for all concerned. Even the day nurse cringes visibly at our stilted exchanges. But the real challenge is when she recognizes Read more
Pxxxxxxx picks at the bright violet nail polish. She must remember to remove it tonight, the color irritates her. Clea chose it. It was Clea’s graduation and she’d chosen shades of lilac and violet in tribute to her new school’s colors. Pxxxxxxx wished that afternoon at the nail salon had Read more
Phillipa has never experienced a shunning like this. For the first time in twenty years she can’t depend on old age to excuse her forthrightness. She is the pariah at the table. The woman with the fat pink fingers and an obsession with rings doesn’t compliment her stunning array of pearls and cocktail rings. Read more