Rikki wore herself, her other self, with aplomb. Hers was an expression of polite detachment and of slight boredom with it all. And cloaked in this dignified isolation, rather than give rise to pity or protection, it drew others to her with its charismatic secret quality. She had learned quickly, back in her dark days, …
Tag: growing up
Everything’s not copacetic
George Negritsoyski on Pexels.com New York Spring 1953 - two friends sitting at a corner table in a packed bar drinking and smoking talk about their future ROSIE - the girl JEAN - the guy TOM - Rosie's boyfriend THE BARTENDER A COUPLE AT ANOTHER TABLE and roll em... J: Come on Rosie, let's beat …
When pigs could fly
Do you remember when pigs could fly? When you wondered where the moon went when it disappeared. Looked for shapes in clouds. Deconstructed Oreos. Walked to the park with a paper bag of gumballs, hot toothpicks and Pez to share. Sat on the curb with your best friend. Ran through the sprinkler on torrid summer …
Snippets of Life (from A to Z) “K”
THE LETTER "K" Kick ass days like those are now few and far between. Who knows how to make more; to set the world on fire again? I will bring the kindling. Days consisting of chills and thrills, ofThe killing moon by Echo and the Bunnymen and of my mom chasing me down the street …
Snippets of Life (from A to Z) “U”
THE LETTER "U" Unbelievable! She refused to understand that I was her only true friend. Upset at being told what she knew deep down to be true, she chose to remain unfailingly devoted to those undermining her. These unctuous uncharitable individuals, who ridiculed her in private, were those to whom she offered undying friendship. As …
Snippets of Life (from A to Z) “S”
The Letter "S" Solitary and solicitous to remain so, or so, he thought. He shunned prosaic societal situations and opted for studious accomplishments instead. He was, as Morrissey said, “of a shyness that is criminally vulgar.” Known, to the immediate family by the sobriquet lone wolf. He shied away from silliness and scenarios yielding satisfactory …
Never to be seen again
I unwrapped his gift slowly, contradictory resentment and protectiveness gurgling up inside. Why had I agreed to this ridiculous public display of obvious compare and contrast? A gasp here and whispers there as the final bits of tissue paper fell away from the package, disclosing the brightly colored item therein. The last item to be …
Inside and Out
Doubleface The man and woman formed an island of uncomfortable silence in the middle of the airport terminal's noisy crowds. He dejected staring at his shoes, she clutching her bag close to her body with one hand and wiping away tears with the other. As an impartial observer one might assume his embarrassment was caused …
Snippets of Life (from A to Z) “F”
THE LETTER "F" F orever forging forward, dragging everything and everyone along in her wake, as unwittingly flew towards the finishing line. Fearless, feral, funny, and viscerally loyal. She understood from an early age her function in life. She was the sun, with friends, family and potential partners revolving around her. At least that is …
A very special bond
Thomas Wolfe and Margaret Roberts Learning about the writer and the man While in North Carolina, I visited Asheville and the home (now a memorial and historic museum) of the American novelist, Thomas Clayton Wolfe. With its yellow facade, gables and porch lined with rocking chairs, the Queen Anne style structure seemed out of place …
Manu writes 