Lily and Anna

Lily is usually gregarious. During the past week, though, her mum's noticed she's been sullen and withdrawn. She comes home from school, heads straight upstairs to her room, closes the door and refuses to respond to Anna's repeated attempts to engage her. Anna's worried. Her little girl, Lily. So sweet from birth. Giggling, responsive, outgoing.…

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Tomorrow

Tomorrow. Everything will be alright tomorrow. At least that is what Melly keeps telling herself. The problem is though, Melly has been repeating that mantra for months now. Jack is a wanker. Melly's mum is helicoptering over her. Dad is never home. And Becky is busy studying. Who's she supposed to talk to? Year nine…

Lisa’s Dream

In moments like this, Lisa wished she was one of those types who rejected authority figures. Mr Dean was towering over her, his smile showing his crooked, rotting teeth. His greasy, slicked-back hair smelt like bananas. Lisa gulped down bile. Seconds ago, he'd asked her to mop the spacious foyer floor. For no other reason…

Parent guilt

Yesterday morning was one of those crazy moments in parenting. I had two netball games to coach, at the same venue, one time-slot in the fixture apart (equivalent to about thirty-five minutes). T1's soccer game was earlier but in a suburb twenty minutes away, and T2 had his regular tutoring appointment at our local library,…

At the supermarket

Standing in line at the checkout, she is warm and her armpits damp, despite the chilly day and her coat and scarf. She holds her breath as she watches each item scanned, then placed in her bags by the operator. Her eyes flick to the screen. $45. Glancing along the conveyor belt, she nervously estimates…