Variable Part 4–Reset

Tara pulled into the parking space at Johnson’s Grocery and jumped out of her car, tossing her keys in her handbag and slamming the door. She had to hurry if she wanted to get home in time for the latest episode of Game Plan. That’s when she saw him—Jay-Jay across the street with his mom—and smiled […]

Read more "Variable Part 4–Reset"

Variable Part 3–Jay Jay

Jay-Jay wailed and seized Tara’s legs in a death grip. “Hey,” Tara said, kneeling down. “It’s okay. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Jay-Jay’s eyes spoke for him. He was unconvinced. Tara placed her hand on his shoulder. “Jay-Jay. I’ll see you again.” *                      *                     * A tear slid down Tara’s face. The screen was merciless, showing […]

Read more "Variable Part 3–Jay Jay"

Variable Part 2–Picking a Name

The world seemed unusually cheerful that mid-afternoon with the strong smell of freshly cut grass and the warmth of sunshine on skin. A smile crept across the woman’s face, and her eyes fluttered open. Above her the puffy, white clouds drifted in the sky—free. Just like her. She laughed—a sudden, care-free laugh. It felt good to […]

Read more "Variable Part 2–Picking a Name"

Variable, Part One–The Sickness

The wind whipped Tara’s hair back—cold, stinging. The mother with the baby carriage, the boy with the bike—and the police! Twelve seconds early. The trolley rushed by, and as she ran toward the center of the road, everything slowed like it was going in retrograde. Memory blurs that should’t have been—people she had never met […]

Read more "Variable, Part One–The Sickness"