my husband grabbed his gun from behind the bookshelf as he bellowed this phrase down the hall. i knew his heart was beating heavily. mine was.
i snuggled my six-month old daughter closer into my chest and listened to her breath softly. as far as she knew, she was safe. and it would stay that way as long as i could help it.
it was the evening of july 17th, just late enough so that the sky was a calming purpley-gray, and the grass had begun to dew. we had towels wrapped around our waists, hands clung to sticky red and green popsicles wrapped in paper towels. we sat in gray and white plastic lawn chairs, which were planted in a circle. we talked and laughed, licking and sucking on sweet popsicle juice. we had swam bef...
when my mama fell to her knees after my dad smacked her cheek harder than he’s ever done before. her hand flew to her cheek. i still remember. her eyes filled with fear and pain. my dad full of rage, ready to strike any second. i was crouched behind the couch, invisible to everyone. but i still saw. and i still remember.
i wish there was a place to call home that didn’t hurt. everywhere i go seems to hurt just a little less than before. but then i go home, and everything hurts again. home is supposed to be where there is peace, not pain. i wish i had a home that was painless, that i could escape to when i needed. my pain follows me, i leave my home
and it’s still there. i wish there was a place to call home that d...
the furniture held laughter and memories. the walls had brown spots where pictures used to hang. the doorknobs were worn down and changing colors. the kitchen was old but smelled like home. the bedrooms had beds made long ago. blankets that held tears and laughter, now laying there. waiting. rocking chairs stuck in place, waiting to be rocked. you could tell where the plates were put on the table,...
sinking sunlight glittered off the water. i stared at the orange and blue as they washed together. my mind was blank, and i wouldn’t realize until after. i watched my feet dangle above the water, as my eyes drifted in and out of focus. the breeze blew my hair and i leaned back on my hands. i was so thankful to be here, i had waited so long for this. there was an aura of orange in the sky, fading i...