March 3, 2011

I’d be Tom Sawyer’s princess girlfriend, on a rope swing.

As I read in the waiting room, I come across a line about Brunswick Stew, and then I’m in Homosassa, at a restaurant—a diner really. And I order Brunswick Stew and a grilled cheese sandwich. I’m at the table with my little brother and my grandfather, and I slip a black pen out of [...]

May 27, 2010

Love the Gulf

I know the Gulf of Mexico.

**

I’m eight-years-old on my hands and knees on the bright blue deck of my father’s fishing boat. The rough sand-and-paint mixture of the deck digs into my knees but I remain still, my small face crammed against a hole in the rail at the bow. [...]

May 8, 2010

just grandpa and me

Last night I had a strange nightmare and woke up unable to piece it back together. I only remembered tears and loss. It shadowed me all day. Half-forgotten sadness lingering around the corner.

When my mom called, my heart jumped. “Is everything okay?” I skittered out, instantly remembering that the dream involved a dead [...]