Jimmy Clearence

Little Jimmy Clearence All he wants is parents I am so alone “Can I have an Ice Cream Cone?” “No little Jimmy, you can’t” says Gertruda, his aunt I am so alone Will he ever find his home? “I want my mom!” “I am your mom.” “No you’re not!” His father steps in “Jimmy, respect … Continue reading Jimmy Clearence →

Daily Grind

The boss called last night, said we’d be short-staffed again, would I please come in? As if I have a choice. So I’m up early again like every other morning: I’m called in every day I have off. They want to wear me out, they want me to quit. Not gonna happen. I’ve been there … Continue reading Daily Grind →

Layover

I sit and wait for hours—tired, bored. These seats are hard: they feel like formed cement. I stare out many windows tall and clear; outside I see the airplanes flying by. Again and again, they’re taking off— the same scene repeating before me. My stomach growls, but I ignore it: The food in airports sucks. … Continue reading Layover →

My Birthday Party

The loud pop of a balloon pulls my attention from the open prairie landscape I'm sketching and brings me back to the incessant chatter carrying on around me. My brothers are laughing obnoxiously— almost completely wasted—about some chic they were creeping on all day, with Dad listening eagerly on the side, throwing in a few … Continue reading My Birthday Party →

A Night to Forget

Heavy metal music throbbed in my ears with my heart pounding along, hammering in time to the reckless noise. Darkness had begun to invade the room. Not the dark that I walked into when I arrived. A different dark. A cold darkness that crept up my legs and back until finally it was around my … Continue reading A Night to Forget →

Midnight Kiss

Nothing seems so foreign to me as the room of my four-year-old girl. My eyes glance around the dark room and take in my daughter’s own precious world. Her own pink precious world. Pink Curtains, pink pillows, pink lampshade, pink walls. So pink. Like Barbie puked everywhere. Dolls are sitting in a circle, grouped around … Continue reading Midnight Kiss →

The Louse

I gaze silently about the room, my mind vacant of any intelligent thought. This lecture is a dry thing. My eyes wander, searching for a bit of life amidst the lifeless room. They stop on the girl before me. I see something small—tiny—perked in her hair: A louse. I lean in closer. Having seen one, … Continue reading The Louse →