Circuitous

“I didn’t happen,” he said.

“Okay,” I replied.

“It wasn’t a cheese sandwich. Bernard doesn’t like cheese. Everybody forgets about Hazel. She wasn’t married to a guy named

Inchmeal

By appearances, the party was a huge success. Ned waited for his cocktail, taking advantage of the open bar.

“You said she’s new in town?” asked the black dress next to him.

Lambaste

“Are you kidding me?”

A woman’s voice blasts through my apartment window from below.

I shake my head. Whatever. They’ll move along.

Machu Picchu

Of stone on mountaintops did builders create their great city. Casting a record of the passage of their lives into a far-flung and uncertain destiny. Those people, the heart and life

Retrospective

I’d been dreading this moment for months. Ever since Mom had come into our kitchen, told me to turn off the TV, and made the announcement.

Ceremony

Today is the big day, mother says. Whatever. Mother flutters about, delirious smiles, and twittering giggles. Matron of Honor. Like someone appointed her official Susie Sunshine.

Skewed

Sunlight cast shadows like long bruises over the grime and detritus.

“Do you think people built all this?” Hannah’s voice echoed in the strange space.

He frowned at her, eyebrow raised. “People?”

Song

I’ve known Cat since kindergarten, but we haven’t seen each other much lately.

Life. The to-do list grows and time shrinks. I need to remind myself often to measure quality rather than accomplishments.

Toxic

Momma insisted her sons always be home on time.

The city didn’t allow the buses to run through his neighborhood this late. The bus wheezed to a stop. The driver pursed his lips in the rearview. He jumped down the steps to the sidewalk.

Warning

Two weeks of business with the boss, then 18 hours in airports, and finally the blinking machine to greet him. He sighed. The suitcase heaved out of the way, the door slammed home.