My choice

The door bell tinkles. I am in the back, filling the kettle with water. Desperate for a cup of tea and a biscuit. I leave the kettle on the bench and fling the curtain wide. She stands, somewhat stooped, in the room. Her eyes downcast. The aura from this girl is forceful, yet stilted. Blocked,…

Harriet and Rosa

Harriet has always been a delicate flower. At least that's what Rosa thinks, as she watches her twin sister sleeping in the hospital bed. Rosa strokes Harriet's forehead, then rests her head on the bed. 'Oh, Harry. How did this happen?' Tears slip down Rosa's cheeks. She lets the tears seep onto the bed sheets;…

Gifted

'Look!' Millie squeals. She jumps up and down, her legs kicking backwards. Her eyes are sparkling; the blue of her iris seems brighter, glossy even. 'What is it Millsy?' I ask. She's a wonder this kid. Only five, yet off-the-chart intelligent. Actually, she's been off the charts for everything since birth. Apgar, length, weight, for…

Party time

'I'll pass, thanks.' The voice is sharp, cutting. Jackie glances up, shocked. The woman's eyes are dark, her jaw clenched. Somehow, Jackie has offended her. 'Of course,' Jackie responds. She gives the woman a smile and begins to move on. 'To be honest,' the woman continues. 'I think you're wrong even hosting this. In these…

Calm in a crisis

These are certainly trying circumstances. Sent the Hubster down to Coles this morning while I did the before-school shuffle with the kids. Not sure which of us got the rough end of the stick (I think me!). He had to queue up and wait until the clock had ticked 8AM, as pensioners only allowed to…