They are a perfect set. Karin is thrilled at the find. Sally Ann is the giver that keeps on giving and today is like a birthday. Karin picks up the bone china cup marveling at the Yves Klein blue of it, there is a circle of gold where it sat on the saucer, a gilded target for perfect placement. There is not a scratch or chip anywhere to be found. Karin’s hand shakes slightly, she Read more
Connie is in the back of the walk-in closet in the spare bedroom when she hears the dull echo of the back door forced open and then quietly click closed. There is only one other person who knows the lock is faulty and that even though the knob does not turn one can gain entry with a strong shoulder or kick. Connie listens to the familiar footfall of her only child, now a woman, as Read more
It was parked taking up two spots. Theresa took an extra long inhale through her pinched nostrils and continued creeping up the block looking for a spot. Only her idiot sister would park her already oversized Tahoe so selfishly on a street where parking was so dear. Bitch. No, Theresa, the soothing voice said, Sabrina wasn’t thinking about you when she parked, this isn’t personal. Deep Breaths. But that’s the point right? Sabrina never thinks Read more
It happened again, that’s all I can say. I had the best intentions. I know it meant a lot to you that I show up but there was just so much pressure… Hmm? I did? I didn’t mean to undercut the apology… No you didn’t put the pressure on me, I mean the pressure for you to have this thing be… you know, the event of graduation. Please don’t start that. I get it. You’re Read more
Francine’s problem was indecisiveness. And a touch of ADHD. Pablo had accused her of being incapable of commitment, which was cruel. Francine was plenty capable of commitment, thank you very much, she just committed too much, constantly. She was fully committed, her commitments were simply short-lived. When Francine was growing up in Colon, she never imagined a girl could make a living as a professional dancer. Her life would have been different if she’d known Read more
Bethany hates sharing her birthday with her sister. They don’t have a great relationship and it will never change. They have little in common, and other than being twins they are completely unlike. They do not have shared psychic experiences. Bethany wishes she was an only child, which is what everyone assumed she’d be for the first half hour of her life. And then came Bridget. Bethany has heard the story a thousand times and Read more
I can grow anything. It’s a gift. I inherited it from my nonna. She could grow anything on the windowsill of her St. Clair W. kitchen. All year long fresh herbs were on hand, and her tomatoes were better than anything Aunt Nancy grew on her double lot in Woodbridge. My husband and I grow all our fruit and vegetables on our little balcony – we made a business out of the surplus. A couple Read more
She watches as his hazel eyes open only halfway behind the curtain of curls. Sometime in the night he padded down the hall from his room and wormed his way between them again. An elbow in the ribs preceded the buzz of the alarm. “What’s up buddy?” “My brain hurts, I can’t answer questions today.” His voice is smaller than usual. Brandon is a talker. He talks fast but his voice is soft and whisper Read more