Aislyn loved nights like this. There seems to be infinite possibilities. The chill of winter was gone and the tepid wind promised to usher in a glorious summer. Although Aislyn knew this feeling was fleeting at best, but tonight she had life by the tail--or rather tucked under her arm like a purring kitty.

Short auburn locks flew about her placid face as she watched the wind ripple the water casting the streetlamps' light in a million directions. She thought of the camera tucked in her satchel, but a photo on this night would never convey her bliss. Instead she captured the shadows cast by sculptures and the outlines of couples finding a quiet moment in the twilight.

Photo: RyanXR1

Ty

A voice from the past transmitted of cell towers in two states harboring laughter and levity.


Photo: blushing

Without the grace God gave a slug the girl pulled her miniscule shorts from her crotch. Aislyn thought it might be a stretch to call that particular article of clothing anything but underwear.

Madison burned for a smoke. The day had worn off the tarnish, rubbed her so that the wounds looked shiny and new.

She ran her hands through her already touseled hair and mahogany curls fell back into her face to soak up the salty remnants of her last wave of grief.

It seemed no one cared about her happiness, overlooking each small injury they inflicted, and pushing her on down the path. Everyone wanted her to be sucessful so that they could go along for the ride on her coattails. 

"Maddy you've got talent and a gift and you'll have a profound impact on those who read your work."

Encouragement felt like pressure. If you don't publish, you are a failure. If you can't find the words to set the world alight, I won't love you anymore.

photo: HaleyCage

Smart People

“FDR was reacting to the economy of his time. Today we need to consider Friedman’s flat world theory, globalization, and the end of the cold war.”

“Do you think the single mom of four living in the projects just outside town gives a shit about how NAFTA is paying laid-off middle class factory workers to become nurses and computer programmers? She’s worried if the food stamps are going to last the rest of the week because her meager paycheck has to pay for little Billy’s penicillin because he has another ear infection from sleeping in a drafty bedroom in their run-down, government subsidized apartment. Little does she know, Billy is developing an allergy to the antibiotic, because of his repeated exposure to a moldy bathroom, because the slum lord won’t pay to replace the vent fan. And the guy getting a grant to become a programmer doesn’t realize that the job waiting for him after graduation is being sold to India at a fourth of the American salary.” Brigid paused and fiddled with her medical alert bracelet. “I like smart people who disagree with me, because I need to know my opposition before engaging in an argument.”

Sid studied her, searching for gap in her logic or a twitch of doubt. "You're really good at this."

"I f#$ked the debate team in high school."

Sid's mouth dropped open.

"Silly boy, that's a movie quote."

"Ah."

Photo: kasprzak

My grandfather was only a nice man when it was to his benefit. He'd feed me hot dogs and sweets so I wouldn't tell my mom he took me to the horse track. Everyone once in a while he'd place a bet for me. We'd wander down to where they kept the horses. I'd look at them and pick one - the one that looked the best with his little blanket on. I won a few times and we'd buy cotton candy with the earnings. But most of the time I'd sit with a pad of paper and make-up stories about my dolls.

He was the one that taught me to be quiet. He taught me not to exist. He taught my grandmother not to exist, too. She was a radiant beauty in love with life and in love with a bad man. He didn't make her a proper wife; he was never able to buy a house because of his gambling. They lived from paycheck to paycheck and were never able to make it a Merry Christmas for their children. When the grandchildren came - I was the first - Grandma started sneaking money out of his wallet in the middle of the night and tucking it in a coffee can hidden behind the washing machine where he'd never look.