I begged until he released me. He warned a nightmare if I didn’t return. I ran to the loo, peed, then, true to my word, went back to sleep.
I saw her in the parking lot, visibly shaken. I comforted her like a gentleman. But I was also hungry, so I grabbed her purse and ran.
Nell lives on the third step of the home and gives boiled sweets to strangers. They tell her she was a teacher. She shrugs and asks, “Who?”
The refrigerator was no barrier. He pawed underneath it until his claws were dull. Finally, that ancient popcorn kernel was his.
I played sports, lost games, watched shows, ate your meals. I did your favorite things, even ones I didn’t care for. Name it, and I’ve done it—just to wear your heart.
Over breakfast he said: “I know you love me.” I wondered how he could know when I was still so unsure. I half smiled and sipped my cold tea.
Yu dangles the worm near her lips, tongues the air. The other kids dare her to eat it. She does. One day soon, the worms will get to eat Yu.
They are silhouetted against the western sky. He’s teaching her to fly a kite. I know when I’m not wanted, but I’m staying anyway.
“You’ll love Penny,” I told my then-new boyfriend. We were introducing each other to family and pals. So sad, he did.
For once in their marriage, he listened to her patiently. Sitting down, she started to pour out her heart, right in front of his tombstone.