

CherishCherishCherish
I planted roses the season Vern disappeared and I was ecstatic when they finally began to bloom. A whole bush rich with pink roses. It had been a long wait since the initial digging and seed planting. Meticulous care and devotion was required for their upkeep, but it all paid off. Their delicate scent and light color embellished the tiny garden plot in front of our first-story apartment window. Vern and I had been living there together for three years. We moved in at the start of our senior year of college, which is where we met, as freshman. &n


Holding ItA forehand planted firmly in a palm, a knee rhythmically bobbing up and down as the clock ticked too slowly. Her eye might have twitched when the professor began his oration on the Mississippi River. That massive, mocking, great body of water. Unrestricted, freely flowing water. She darted her eyes away from the images being projected on the screen and chose a spot on the wall for her eyes to linger on. The other knee joined in the incessant dance, a ritual meant to make the struggle easier. The spot on the wall did nothing for her, so she allowed herself another glance at theHolding It


PillsMy eyes regrettably flew open and scanned the clock that would inform me that it was 4:30 AM. As I uselessly readjusted my position, I began to wonder why this had become a nightly habit of mine for these past several weeks. Falling asleep should not evoke so much frustration, I decided, and began deeply sympathizing with every insomniac that is tortured by this regularly. There has to be a way to end this. In my half-lidded stupor, the practiced friendly tone of a commercial recited a brand name in my head. I resolved then that I would have to drug myself into submission. Two days later, my schedule was free of classes and, as an addedPills


WingsWINGSWings
Flute wanted to keep her wings. She had let them grow further into maturation than most others had. Her peers were reaching the point in their lives in which it was appropriate for wings to be shed, but Flute would not adhere. She wanted to keep her wings. This difference, of course, was noticeable as she strutted the great appendages through the halls of school. Many of the students would tease Flute or snicker when her back was turned. Theres no point, theyd say. Its not like she can fly with those any