The Roommate

In a move that she truly believes is altruistic, Helen cuts the heads of all Pam's flowers. She snips them gently, halfway down the stems. Once the floral display is destroyed, Helen smiles and puts the scissors back in the drawer. Under the covers in her bed, hours later, she hears Pam come home from…

Creativity lost

A trickle of water interrupts Layla's train of thought. She stops her work, and investigates the source. Bathroom. One of the kids left the tap running after brushing their teeth. God, how much money has run down the sink since they all left for school. She makes a mental note to ask Jack to change…

Grief

A tidepool of emotion moves within me, like snakes slithering in my belly. I can't face this. I don't know how to face this. If I just ignore her, then I can pretend it never happened. My baby. My toddler. Lying in repose. We're at the funeral home. She's in the casket. It's so small;…

Planting and Growing

I clutch onto the little paper bag in one hand. The other is holding Clarabel's pudgy, soft fingers. We're on our way to the vegetable patch. In the bag are various seeds for cos lettuce, zucchini, tomato, pumpkin and sweet potato. That should be enough to keep her interested. 'Wherz da patch, Mumma?' asks Clarabel.…

Brekky Time

Lena slumps at the breakfast bar. Her mother, who's grinding coffee beans in the kitchen, glances her way, and stifles a sigh. 'What's the matter with you?' 'I can't decide what to have for breakfast.' Lena's voice is a whine, grating. 'Lena, if this is the hardest decision you'll face in life, then you're lucky,'…