Mariela Romero crashed back into Nimsi’s life the night the Plymouth plant caught fire. And what a rouser of a fire that was, chemical green, they say, left everyone hollering hallelujah for lawsuits. But for Nimsi Alouette it started as just another Wednesday night tending Read More …
(Florence, 1987) They’ve heard about the man up in the hills. They’ve heard about how he comes down into the city. They’ve heard he attacks girls. The police can’t catch him. They’ve heard worse things, too (stalking, hunting, killing), and they add to these horrors Read More …
“No. I shouldn’t calm down. She- should get the fuck out of my car. Now!” “But Mira, she’s entitled to her opinion.” Louise said. “This is a sisterly space. A safe space. We’re all supposed to feel free to express ourselves.” “Exactly. I feel that Read More …
9/27/97 Dear Girl at Extension 5261, I don’t know your name, and you don’t know mine, but a few weeks ago you called me. I hope you don’t think I’m crazy for slipping this letter under your door. (By the way, very cool that you’re Read More …
This story contains material that may be triggering to survivors of sexual abuse. He dislikes her now. He will do worse later. Ruby’s nine, and she can see the anger in his eyes. They are two years apart. Little sister, big brother. Bound together by Read More …
It’s a taboo. It’s dangerous. The second they lower their hands to their crotch, they feel it. The fear. But that’s part of the thrill, right? Fear gets your blood pumping. Fear heightens your senses and alters your perception of time. They never could see Read More …
We are mothers who left. We were once women who weren’t mothers yet. This was before you emerged from our bodies slippery slick in our blood. Or before you were handed to us, swaddled in some blanket that we examined for another woman’s desperation, or Read More …
Dean Rounder pushed herself upright from the mat on her office floor. She had just turned sixty; she couldn’t continue sleeping on a bedroll four nights a week. She texted her husband Jack good morning, signing her love with an M for Melissa. She went Read More …
She doesn’t get up. The sun hasn’t broken the horizon, and the children are still sleeping soundly next to her. Her mind goes in a thousand different directions. She wonders what they’ll call her because she knows they will be there, she’s driven past and Read More …
They were staring at a smeared drop of green nail polish on the white tile floor. It was a Wednesday night. Neon bottles lined the sink, styrofoam cups sat on the edge of the empty bathtub they both sat in. Aubrey wouldn’t look at Maud. Read More …