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

every forgotten holiday.

Now he stood before my friends and called me a burden.

“Say something,” Vanessa whispered, leaning close as if adjusting my necklace. “Or are you finally learning?”

I looked at her reflection in the silver cake knife.

Calm down, Margaret.

That was what my late husband, Thomas, always said before a storm.

At the back of the room,continue reading …