The day winds down and you know you’re leaving work only to go home to try to answer the daily question of what the fuck is for dinner?

You’re glad to leave work, but going home has its own stressors.

There’s the child who chews with her mouth open, loudly. There’s the boyfriend whose loyalty you question. There’s the job you love but you’re terrified of losing.

But you open the door and there are flowers on the table; vibrant, bright, ferociously alive.

Their scent is a welcome assault; you breathe and smile.

You never know what’ll be a daymaker.… Read the rest

I didn’t want to fight. I wasn’t made for battle, I was made to sit on a throne and be quiet and pretty.

When my brother ran in, he was already mortally wounded and died in my arms.

His blood was the anger I needed to pick up his sword and fight back.

A rebel entered. Had I been empty handed, he may have left, but I was armed, and he engaged me.

His sword came down, and I saw the faces of my people in his blade.

I hacked and stabbed and finally killed him.

But all for nothing.… Read the rest

“Tell me, was I just another pawn in your elaborate game of chess?”

“You were, but unlike the other pawns you managed to become my queen.”

“I am not your queen! I have no crown; she got your crown!”

“But you get me. You get my nights my mornings, my kisses, my hugs and love. You get all of that, she gets none of it.”

“Games! It’s just games you play and nonsense you speak!”

“No, my love, no, you are the queen of my heart.”

“But not by name, so I will never sit by you on your throne.”… Read the rest

“It’s never going to work,” I say, her upturned palm in my hand. “No matter how much he loves you, even if he marries you, he’s always going to love her more.”

“Then why is he doing this to me?”

“Because he thinks he won’t find better or ever be happy again. This is his best worst option.”

She cries, and the psychic shifts.

“Just leave him. He doesn’t really want to be with you, and deep down you know it.”

The other woman thanks me, sobbing, and runs out.

I step over the psychic I knocked out, leaving smiling.… Read the rest

They say that I’m beautiful but I will never believe them.

My blond hair is too soft and shiny, my pale white skin so unblemished.

I’m petite, a size double zero, and I can do my makeup better than the stylists doing the Met Gala’s red carpet looks.

I move like water through any room and part it like the Red Sea, no one can touch me.

I’m flawless; I know this.

But no one will come near me, or look in my dagger eyes, or raise their voice to speak to me.

I am just a cold, lonely island.… Read the rest