As soon as the velveteen curtains closed at the front of the stage, Francine Fontaine quickly grabbed up her discarded garments and escaped into the wings to get out of the way for the next dancer. On her way to the shared dressing room, she passed the toothless old doorman who made his usual grab at the tassel dangling from her right breast.

“God dammit, Papere.” She didn’t really care. She always swore at him with a smile. He always cackled and spittle always sprayed. She never even slowed down. Their daily exchange was as choreographed as her striptease.

… Continue reading at Deep South Magazine

Dorcas was just getting ready for bed when her cell phone chirped. Pulling up her jeans to avoid tripping, she retrieved her phone, looked at caller ID and froze. She shot a hard look at her husband and held out the phone for Tony to see. Despite his frown, she answered.

“Yes?”

“Where are you? I don’t even know how long I’ve been waiting and you’re still not here. You’re late. Why do you always keep me waiting like this? You never could keep up with the time.”

“Mother, where are you?”

“You know exactly where I am. I’m on the porch of the old folks’ home where you stuck me. Just stuck me away like I stick away your presents that I never like. You never had good taste.”

… Continue reading at The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature

She closed the book, placed it on the table, and finally, decided to walk through the door. She couldn’t do any more. Amelia handed the test booklet to the proctor seated at a small, metal table just outside the door.

“You’ll have free time until lunch,” advised the proctor.

“Thank you.”

Amelia cocked her head momentarily, then started down the hall toward her room. She didn’t turn her head, but she knew others were chattering in clumps along the wide hall that always smelled of cleaning solution. They were comparing notes about the exams, the most recent one in particular. Amelia was generally not included in the camaraderie, but she didn’t care.

She didn’t want to be here, didn’t need to be here, shouldn’t be here. … Continue reading at NPR