It’s been eleven weeks since Camilla spoke in a voice above a whisper. The family is growing anxious but Dr. Ruhl assures everyone this phase will pass. Mrs. Hammond-Price refuses to communicate in the hushed tones her daughter insists upon so Camilla doesn’t really talk to her mother. Dr. Ruhl doesn’t know what he’s talking about of course because Camilla hasn’t spoken a word to him in twice as long. He’s convinced she’ s communicating Read more
Pastor Frank has a big voice that thunders through my veins long after I’ve left St. Stevens of the Fields Church. Long after the Sunday linens are ironed and the table set. Long after the final lemon is squeezed for Granmere’s lemonade. The paper cut I got Friday doing my latest collage is throbbing, reopened from all the citric acid. The sting pulses in time with Pastor Frank’s tenor. I didn’t cast the first stone, but I know Jennie-Rae Phillips Read more
I can’t remember his name but he seems familiar somehow. Vaguely familiar. Everything is vague these days. In truth, it’s been that way for some time. The memory has always been sketchy, except for poetry, I can still recite the Sonnets and pages upon pages of Dickenson and Donne. But everything else is filtered through a scrim. I don’t get agitated about not ‘knowing’ details anymore, I just trust my gut. One knows intuitively which Read more
There’s this internet meme of kids giving the meaning of love and this one kid says it’s the way someone says your name, the way your name is in their mouth or some stupid shit like that. My ‘sister’ sent it to me, the quote is basically the equivalent of a kitten video. Gag. Hairball. Gross. I don’t even know why she bothers. I’ve always been specific and clear, y’know, my word is my bond kind Read more
“Wow.” “I know right?” Candace does one of those hip bouncing side to side pirouettes, her hands flipped out like a tutu. “Did they lighten your brows too?” “Duh of course” she says. She gives me a sharp smile flashing her recently straightened, newly whitened teeth. I’m trying to reconcile the image in front of me like a newly turned vampire looking into a mirror. I might as well be looking into a void – my twin Read more
“Sabrina you never follow the fucking rules, what’d ‘you expect?” We’re standing ankle deep in stagnant cold water and it’s still rising. It’s less and less yellow. “Are you gonna help me or not? Shit, can you fix it?” She’s getting shrill which means I only have about five minutes to gloat but every minute is worth it, she’s an ongoing nuisance in my very existence – ever since our families blended. “Why d’you think Read more
We’re about to get expelled and it’s going to be on Mikal. Principal Eggerton sniffed out the weak link as soon as we settled into the surplus cafeteria chairs facing his office. I watch him watching us through the glass door to his office, as if we’re in a precinct lineup. Craig slumps back in exaggerated boredom while Mikal remains a coiled spring on the edge of his seat. Eggerton is on the phone but he’s staring Read more
I can’t believe he didn’t warn me. I mean WTF? A forty minute train ride and not a mention? All I can do is keep smiling the now stale smile that’s a little two wide to sustain. This moment will forever be referenced as the time Max betrayed me just before announcing our engagement. How can he never have mentioned his mother is wall-eyed?!? It’s only been a recurring peeve of mine since… Forever! What is Read more