Angela hated mirrors. It was bad enough to be reminded of the accident every time she closed her eyes and tried to sleep. She wouldn’t waste time staring at the physical reminders. Everyone told her it would get better, but what did they know? They weren’t left incapable of walking, with scars on their bodies. Therapists sat behind desks, pens in hand, asking stupid questions as if it would somehow heal all her broken parts. Doctors poked and prodded. She’d shouted…
Jan swallowed the lump in her throat and forced herself to unlock the door and hurry inside her mother’s apartment before the neighbors could offer condolences — or complaints. She hadn’t visited in years, and had no desire to linger amongst the cobwebs and complicated memories. Not when she’d rather be home curled up under her fuzzy orange blanket pretending life was normal. A waft of stale air mixed with the unmistakable stench of rotting garbage assaulted her. She braced…
The annual fourth of July barbecue spiraled into its typical chaos. Water balloons splattered across the deck as cousins soaked each other. Uncles battled flames from the grill. Aunties sought refuge from the suffocating heat under the maple tree, fanning themselves with paper plates. After dark, sticky children settled down with adults. An occasional slap echoed as people swatted mosquitoes. Humidity hung heavy in the air as the first firework burst into an array of patriotic colors. Someone lit a…
Sam was late for some Tinder match she’d only agreed to meet with as a last ditch effort to get her well-meaning friends to leave her alone. The problem was, Marshmallow, her overstimulated puppy she’d failed to walk that morning, yapped and bolted out the front door. She really should have attended those obedience classes. Still holding the leash, she chased the puppy down the street and into the local park, where he clearly thought she was playing tag. He’d…