questa vita

Standing at the end of Summer, at the edge of the universe. Toes sinking, grainy earth, warm foam bathing in between. Heliotrope clouds rolling, electric energy. Never ending possibilities of creatures unseen, Under the surface of this underwater rapture. Warm, teeming with a vast existence of beasts unknown. Standing at the edge of the universe, only touching the tip of this whole world beneath us. Wondering what’s there. Contemplating what comes after the end of Summer.

            “Alex, I know, I-“ Bri tried, but he cut her off.             “No. You don’t trust people, Bri. This same thing happened with your mom. You didn’t trust her enough to tell her that you even applied here. It’s patronizing of you to assume that nobody can handle anything except for you.” He said, and her faced burned with embarrassment. He was right. Again. He was always right.             “Alex,” she cried. He shook his head, gathering his wallet, phone, and keys off the nightstand. He dug in his pocket and retrieved a little black velvet box.             “I was going to give this to you tonight. It’s a promise ring,” he said, looking down at the box, considering it. Bri felt like she was going to throw up. How could this night have turned into this?    ...

This is a short excerpt from a story that I've been working on for about ten years :) The next day, Bri’s phone was still cracked and her knee still hurt. But it was the day. Bri felt it in her bones as she stretched awake at the usual noon. She had been looking online, trying to figure out when the acceptance/rejection letters from South Naples Prep School would go out, and it looked like it was this week. It was already Friday, so…             She pulled on some Victoria’s Secret sweats and a tee that were both nestled on her floor and then bounced down the stairs, not bothering to get shoes as she strode out the front door. There was a huge oak towering over her driveway, with Spanish moss swaying from its branches, so the asphalt wasn’t hot on her bare feet. She reached their mailbox, which was red with daisies painted on it, and held her breath as she opened it. She didn’t even go back inside as she searched for her ...

Bon Jovi's livin on a prayer seems to be my theme song right now. At work, we have these group chats where we can go and let off steam. There have been some hour cuts lately, even for full time employees, and some people have had to use paid time off in order to pay their rent. Times are tough right now, everywhere obviously and not just at my job. It seems like everyone has to buckle down and try to just make it right now. And these are hardworking people- my job's pretty stressful at times you know? Dealing with people all day and the like. I have some stories from this job and from all my restaurant jobs that I honestly just cannot make up. I will probably compile those into a book one day, and people can marvel at humanity But our group chats are like support groups. It's bad but I'm honestly glad I'm not the only one. I'm also not complaining, because I'm super blessed in so many ways which I acknowledge. I'm just saying, it is what it is. But pe...