Category: Uncategorised

This one was pulled from an unfinished manuscript. Upon merging onto the interstate, I was dropped into familiarity by the faceless servants of my amygdala. The moment presented itself unabashedly, reminding me of weekend pivot points: the Saturday sunset anticipating Sunday depression. Here I was nestled in Felix’s car, his cracked, shiny leather, feeling twelve, fifteen, and 21 years old in a single moment. A barrage of memories fired at me. I sensed myself floating, although strapped in my seatbelt. My skin stuck to the seat, my sweat gluing both together, as the late afternoon sun knew how to bake…

“I’ll drive,” Summer said without discussion.  It was not uncommon since Ellie was usually the one in tow. She’d been dragging her youngest sibling syndrome around like dead weight, unable to detach as though it were a disease or condition to take to the grave. But the 15-year-old her was present and potent. People just loved taking care of her, if not pitying her, out of their own selfless concern, assuming she was directionless and acquiescent.  Summer led the way, and Ellie followed. Expecting they would slip into a sleek black BMW, newly washed with a heavy tint, Ellie was mistaken. Summer…

You were 21 and a college dropout. Your brother just took his own life. It was the summer of 2007. I saw an empty bottle of xanax slip from your shorts pocket and land onto the sand when you crouched down to take a seat next to me. You didn’t see me see it, though. You told me you were ready to leave here. Vividly, I remember the grains of sand between my toes​ and your slow-spoken anecdote, layered over the distant waves. My hands stayed in my sleeves from holding a cold soda can. I thought about how close you sat to me. I thought about…