Anna stretched her gnarled fingers and rubbed at the knuckles to work out the ache. She’d spent most of the day on her knees, wrist-deep in the warm soil as she planted lettuce, radishes, and kale. Not that she’d ever grown to enjoy kale in any of the many recipes she’d tried. Still, it was supposed to be good for you. She stood and massaged her lower back before scooping up the seed packets from the ground. Why hadn’t she…
Dear Nina, I’d like to imagine you rushing to the mailbox each day, waiting for glimpses of my travels in faraway places we once dreamed about together. I can see you now, eyes wide, as you throw your long hair up to concentrate on the words I squeezed onto the back of this postcard. Was I brave enough to eat the fried locusts? Yes, but I don’t recommend it. Then again, you were always braver than me at trying new…
April didn’t want to be here. The air was humid, and chlorine from the pool made her eyes burn. She pulled at a loose thread on her towel, ignoring the conversation unfolding around her. It was always the same, anyway. Hushed voices filled with false concern as they made snide comments about other people’s bodies. Well, now she knew where their daughters learned it. The endless gossip mingled with squeals from the kiddie pool and the lifeguard’s whistle. It might…
Gia, tongue poking out of the corner of her mouth, affixed a glittering yellow heart to the red construction paper card she was making. She lifted the artwork in the air, twisted and turned it before slapping it back on the table and adding three more stickers in varying shades of pink and purple. After another quick inspection, she grabbed a thick Crayola marker and jotted a message inside. “Need help?” Julia asked her seven-year-old daughter. “No, thanks.” Julia frowned….