We stood in the street looking at the house for what felt like hours.

It got so late in the afternoon, I didn’t think we were going to make it inside before dark, and we had to be home before dark.

It would be fine; we wouldn’t have time to go inside.

But I was wrong, of course, and my friends got me to follow them through that open door that was hanging on one rusty hinge.

We never thought it could slam behind us.

We never could have imagined what would be on the other side of that door.… Read the rest

I’ve traveled incomparable distances through space and time to be you.

I’ve seen all the things that you’ve missed: the dinosaurs, the Neanderthal’s (who say hello), the Romans, the rise of Nazis, the fall of America.

(Oh wait, you’re not missing that, you’re living it.)

Within you are billions of years of time getting your back, making your spine tall and strong as a planet of its own, what everything else is tied to, to make you.

You will never see me, even if you think you do, that shimmer on your skin is your own glow, babydoll. Shine on.… Read the rest

She went up like Dorothy would have, had she not gone to Oz.

Up up up into the sky, into the place where angels live in the clouds, that’s what Dad taught her, that the people we love will always be there watching over us.

Well, who was watching over her when she rose up only to come crashing back to the earth and be buried under a pile of awful?

She didn’t see anyone in the clouds, and she didn’t think anyone was watching over anyone.

It felt empty up there, like the inside of her heart always did.… Read the rest

Getting ready for work, I have a smile on my face and a lightness in my step and in my heart that is unusual for this time of morning.

I have coffee, get dressed, get to the office early and have a great day.

I go home, have dinner, chill with the people I love, and get into my nice, warm bed.

There’s nothing amiss, there’s nothing to complain or worry about or fear.

I am able to slide between the sheets and fall asleep without being scared for anyone at all.

Cable news went off the air this week.… Read the rest

She called me and I didn’t answer. I didn’t answer the first time, or the third, or the tenth.

I didn’t want to hear from her, ever.

I hadn’t talked to my sister in years and was doing good work forgetting the sound of her voice.

She abandoned our family, thinking she didn’t need us. We weren’t good enough, or rich enough, or interesting enough for her.

I used to say she wouldn’t piss on me if I were on fire, and maybe that’s true, but finally I answer:

“WHAT?!”

“Please, I need you, I’m sorry.”

“Well, that’s too bad.”… Read the rest