On My Birthday I Stood In Front Of Everyone With A Black Eye

and Vanessa away, a few people started to drift toward me, their mouths opening to offer platitudes. My neighbor, who had chuckled nervously at Daniel’s toast, put a hand on my arm.

“Margaret, I’m so sorry, I had no idea,” she began.

James stepped in front of me, a gentle but immovable wall. “She needs a moment,” he said, and his tone left no room for continue reading …