The first thing I notice is her eyes are still a little puffy. She looks exotic like she’s got mixed race blood. No one else would notice unless you knew they only look chinese-y when they’re swollen. Then I notice she’s still wearing ht e coated paper ID band from the hospital. She’s smiling broadly, showing me all the gaps in her teeth, showing me everything is going to be okay. She’s okay. She Read more
It was a pretty good deal wasn’t it? A pair of useless eyes in exchange for on call minions. Oh the early days were grand. My eldest daughter was always able to mollify me, she’s an excellent salesman – pardon me, person. She really could sell anything – often did too, until rehab made her more discerning. Oh yes, the pitch for Hamilton Manor was perfect. I was even promised a corner suite, something my husband, bless his Read more
The Center Park is my favorite place; way up at the top where there are the fewest tourists. I feel like a real New Yorker complaining about tourists. The best way to do it is walking behind them when they stop to take pictures, then you shout “Come On” and walk around them fast. I don’t think the point is to make tourists not take pictures of big buildings, it’s more like “Hey! Buddy! We’re not all on holiday Read more
There are lots of ways I can fix things. I’m a style ninja. Mmmhmmm. That’s what Xavier himself dubbed me. Partly it is racist like Geneva pointed out, but mostly – like nine hundred and ninety percent out of a thousand – it’s a compliment of the highest order. From the master himself. Saint X. Anyway, I don’t know if the first thing you notice about me is my Mongoloid eyes or my freakishly tall 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. Phillipa takes little comfort in the woman’s furtive inspection and otherwise blatant awe. Even Phillipa’s granddaughter Tamara addresses her with the absolute minimum required to avoid Read more
“It’s simple sorcery.” I’m impatient to get on with my critique of our sister Kari’s latest fan fiction but eight year old boys are the worst audience. My brother Barry is not only the baby but he’s the only male in a very feminist all female household. Mom is always telling me to be patient with him but he’s not even looking at me as he repeats “Sore sari?” I track his gaze across the subway car and nudge Read more
The sound of laughter is the thing you’ll miss the most. Trust me, at eighty-eight I’m old enough to know. I’ve been alone a long time now and that’s the single most thing I miss. It’s not conversation or even a warm body. I like my company but I go out in the world and I talk to people. You can’t be shy; look alert and open with something smart and engaging; you’ll be amazed the Read more
It’s 10:05 on a Friday night and I’m standing in the longest line EVER at Duane Reade. I just want to get home and peel my Spanx off; not only was that date an absolute waste of time, but I missed getting to Trader Joe’s before closing and now I’ve got to pay double for organic milk. Oh my god I’ve never seen this many people in a drugstore in my life. OdoubleMG, the guy in front Read more