Kelly spotted Rose sitting alone, half-hidden by ghostly shadows. The elderly woman’s thin legs crossed, one foot tapping in rhythm with the beat of the pop song the kids were singing. This was the first block party Rose had attended since Patrick’s death, and Kelly suspected it was difficult for her. Whispering something to her husband, John, she grabbed a bottle of water and hurried towards her neighbor. Her smile looked forced as Rose accepted the drink, blotting its exterior…
It was only a loose thread, but when Jenny pulled on it, she got more than she expected. She was fed up with the chaos and demands, the lack of gratitude from people when she’d gone out of her way to deal with mundane tasks. Sure, it only took a minute or two of her time, but stacked upon each other day after day, they turned into hours that robbed her from taking care of herself. From breathing. Her own…
Every time Marv checks his reflection in the mirror, it terrifies him. Instead of neatly combed hair and a clean-shaven face, a distorted version of himself peers back. A reflection of his darkest self. Mouth carved into a scowl, jaw hard. Eyes filled with fury. Hair wild, fists clenched at his side. The image wavers as if the room is titling. He blinks. The placid man he believes himself to be returns: smile in place, hands loose. Calm. This is…
Ear pressed to the wall, Max held up a hand to silence Gertrude. He concentrated, trying to hear who the mysterious couple in the other apartment were conversing with. Either they knew someone might overhear them and opted to be cryptic, or Max needed a refresher course in English. Gertrude stood in the doorway, hands resting on ample hips, as she scowled at him. “Max, stop snooping on the neighbors.” “Loose lips sink ships.” “The war is over, darling.” “Can’t…