“Why won’t you tell me about my father?”

“Because the truth is a burden. You’re lucky you don’t remember,” my grandmother says.

“I think I deserve to know where I come from. What if I have family? What if they can tell me important medical information?”

“All I know is you have two brothers and they’re much older than you.”

“Seriously?”

“Don’t ever tell your mother I told you this!”

“Well, what else?”

“Nothing else! If your mother or grandfather knew I was telling you all this they’d blow through the roof!”

“But it’s my life, my story!”

“A burden.”… Read the rest

“Would you rather go bungee jumping or eat a bowl of live crickets?”

“That’s a really hard decision.”

“I know, but I know how afraid of heights and bugs you are.”

“Is this a hypothetical?”

“No. If you want to move to California, you’re paying for it in fear.”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“I’m just the twisted fool you fell for.”

“Pretty twisted you want to see me scared.”

“I want to see how far you’ll go to get what you want.”

“I’ll take the leap. If I die, I won’t have to live with you anymore.”

“Very good decision.”… Read the rest

When she got there, the room was quiet except for the muffled sobs of her family, who were circling her bed as they had been when she left last night.

She’d already said goodbye three times, but still, she wished she’d been there for her the moment she left this earth, to be there to touch her brittle skin and whisper that she loves her.

Her family had left a seat for her, and she took her grandmother’s withered hand and kissed it for the last time.

“You were the best grandmother a kid could ever have. I love you.”… Read the rest

“This is all I can give you,” he said, and it wasn’t enough for her.

She knew before he even said it that those words were lingering in the air between them.

The distance, the caution, the unwillingness to open up and really share a life.

Not to mention being the dirty little secret after years of not being a secret.

But as much as it hurts, it doesn’t touch the fear of being alone, and the dread of having no one to come home to, no one to hold her in their arms.

It never should have been him.… Read the rest

She stepped up into the carriage, her nemesis, pimply Paul, holding her hand to steady her as she ascended the two bouncy steps and onto the bench.

Immediately, she began smiling and waving to the crowds.

The horses pulled the carriage through Main Street, and the children went wild, admiring her hair, her sparkling dress.

Her fucking dress. The fabric was so hot, stiff and itchy. She was sweating her ass off and wanted to scream at every one of these people, “GO TO EPCOT!”

As she waved and smiled, she cursed herself for not going into exotic dancing instead.… Read the rest