Short Story

The Dearly Beloved

It’s Christmas and we’re six years old, and I cannot say “I love you.” The evening has stretched into night and the air has grown warm with wine and conversation. My parents glance over and find me, head tucked into the crook of your knee as I struggle to fight the steady in-out of your…

Ballerinas

Yemi sat in the back room and stretched out her calves. There was a dull pain in the arch of her right foot, but she doubted she could get a day off because of a minor injury like that. As she stretched, she flexed out her foot, taking the time to examine her toes. Honestly,…

Lower

Suddenly, I found myself standing in the middle of a dimly lit room. There was a sickly sweet smell wafting through the air, and it was hot. Scorching. Confused, I turned in circles and tried to make sense of where I was and why I seemed to be in line for something. As soon as…