Category: Uncategorized
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Self-preservation
“So you’re not the least bit put out by what happened at Jonesey’s, eh?” “I’m shocked! There was way too much mayo on the truffle fries.” “Not that,” he says. “You didn’t even have any of the truffle fries.” “Well, that’s what I heard. Oh, the unisex, two-stall bathroom? Eh, I have…
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The turning point or lack-thereof in a Tripping Raul trash novel
The heroins in these books are always flawed either by fate or by health: Forced to marry a murderous rich man who runs the town, or in need of a new heart, or whatever. Always in danger, trapped, whether by health or by wealth. So, without further ado, here’s Tripping Raul…
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Can’t stop laughing
Awake at 2:22 a.m., up at about 4, in the surgery prep room with your mom, Dez, at 5:30 a.m. The kind nurse prepping her says, “Do you want the implants?” Your mom and I are up too early, exhausted. I look at her and try to quickly and quietly…
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It’d been a while
I gingerly navigated Grant Street, waiting for the light to cross 19th and then cross again. My feet hurt, but I’m not about to complain. I walk down the north side of 19th Street and start past the really cool looking, U-shaped, old, brick building with iron bars on the windows…
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Look!
Look, Dez! I made you chocolate chip cookies when you were visiting yesterday. I cut the sugar back by one-third, which must have been OK with you because you ate two. The house smelled yummy and I was all proud of myself for being all stereotypical and grandmotherly and shit!…
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Pushing
I playfully poke at you and most times I can’t explain why. My mood and tone shift to extremes, to where you can’t help but wonder if I’m the same person or what the hell is going on. I’m confident, then terrified. Smooth and then hedgy; cool then awkward. I step out of…
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Why Kevin?
“Ooooh, it’s a mystery! What fun.” He makes a noise that’s half snicker, half scoff and half cough. (Yes, three halves.) “Whoever was on here last night searched for the name ‘Kevin,’” I say. “Ah,” he says. “But why? That’s ever-so intriguing, don’t you think?” “I’m not intrigued, but I…
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Inability to help
Sometimes I feel like I’m something else entirely and that I just can’t figure out what it is. At times like this, when something horrible has happened to our children once again, I feel frustrated and trapped by this body because I’m pretty sure I could be of service were I…
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‘I workout’
I dragged my carcass into the conference room and Sharon asked how I was doing. “Great!” I said, grimacing. “It looks like you hurt your back,” she replied. I laughed. Nah, it was Day 1 of hitting the gym, and I rode the bus today which is also a bit…
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What did you see?
You were standing in the booth at Old Chicago next to your grandpa. We were all talking, including you. You liked the light! Oh, and the neon baseball sign. And in addition to your chicken tenders and fruit, you had great fun reaching into your grandpa’s calzone and pulling out sausage and cheese…
At Least They're Committed 