May was holding her mother’s hand and then she wasn’t. The moment May removed her mitten to reach for a cookie in her pocket, they slipped away from each other like water slips through fingers. They had been watching the… Continue Reading
There’s a moment when you’re swinging. When the swing is as high as it can go and you’re suspended in midair. If you lean back on your way up to that moment, you’ll find yourself surrounded by sky, suspended in… Continue Reading
He only sees her sometimes. Maybe once or twice a year, if that, and only then when he’s caught off guard. When, preoccupied with exhaustion or the grim necessities of survival, she slips his mind for a moment that allows… Continue Reading
We had such an exciting day. Before the sun rose, my mother woke me up to help her look for my sister. We had been playing hide-and-go-seek before we were put to bed, but she must have been too excited… Continue Reading
“Please,” he says, and I hear the desperation in his voice before I turn around. “Please, can you help me? I’ve lost my granddaughter. Please, can you help…?” I remember the day that Alice disappeared in the supermarket; I remember… Continue Reading
It was winter and a blue snow fell again covering the plains of this insignificant planet in a fine cobalt dusting of fresh, deep powder. Janey liked to kick it around exposing the light blue layer beneath the darker surface;… Continue Reading
When I close my eyes, I can still see her. Before I go to bed, Alice, my cute little sister, dances behind my eyelids. When I throw my head back with a shot of vodka, Alice’s gap-toothed smile cheers me… Continue Reading
“Stop screaming,” said Old Ma. “The baby is gone. Make another one when your milk dries up.” Suddenly I hated Old Ma. I wanted to smash her. But I was clever even in that moment. I stopped my hand and… Continue Reading
Anna disappeared on her ninth birthday. She excused herself from her party with a polite goodbye, went up to her room, and never returned. For a time, no one noticed her absence amid the chaos of clowns, piñatas, and dozens… Continue Reading
Cowering — the small girl blends with nighttime bark and organic shadow. Whimpers rise like bird calls. She could be a tree stump, hidden behind black-curtain hair and a long-sleeved shirt pulled over her knees. A heavy man walks past… Continue Reading