The Fourth Hurdle

Recycled tired under toes, knees, hands. Metal blocks looking down a highway of obstacles. Eyes forward, straining for the end of the road.
A voice causes slight movement. Runners poised to start. Muscles tensed, ready. Over the first hurdle before the loud pop echoes away.
There are no flashes, cheers, or shouts. It is only rubber, metal, [...]

The Girl Who Could Fly, Part 4: The Conclusion

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Even after years spent working for Harold, Sugar had very few personal items at the office, and fewer friends. One less friend than she thought.
When they were little, she and Harold were two peas in a pod, as her grandmother used to say. It was easy to assume their friendship stayed the same. Over the [...]

The Girl Who Could Fly, Part 3

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“A blog?”
Sugar didn’t know what to say. The interview was time wasted. She suspected Harold had intended it to help. If she were a more forthright person, she’d ask. But he was already mad at her lack of art production. Why make it worse?
“It’s a popular blog,” he told her. “She also freelances for the [...]

The Girl Who Could Fly, Part 2

“I have to get it back.”
Harold might have been annoyed, compassionate, or scornful. Sugar didn’t care to know. She fixed her gaze on the detailed pencil drawing of the Sears Tower that had been framed and given to Harold at the last holiday party.
It leaned against the front of his gunmetal gray desk. He [...]

He Sleeps

He sleeps, nestled against his mother’s chest, dreaming baby boy dreams. His mother kisses his blond head and inhales his sweaty-sweet aroma. Of all the futures she sees, his is closed to her
He stirs, his eyes flutter. She snugs the blanket up to his shoulders and sighs when he puts his fingers back in his [...]