Angela huddled with her back against the cold brick wall. There was just enough overhang from the roof above her to keep her head dry from the pouring rain above. Her feet were just small …
Michael’s Birthday
Michael woke up and stretched his arms above his head. “Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday dear me. Happy birthday to me.” He sang to himself with a smile. “Today will …
Eleven Years Too Long
“It’s time,” Jared called, approaching me. I saw Jared almost every day for eleven years but never been as happy to see him as I was today. I was sitting on the bare mattress bed …
The Used Toaster
“So… he gave you a used toaster?” I asked Emma. I met Emma at my last company. She was smart and ambitious, and I befriended her when I realized I could learn a thing or …
The Safety of Mabel
Trigger Warning: Contains sensitive content related to abuse and rape. Today “Dennis, can you please pass the salt?” Sarah asked. Sarah’s hair was tied up in a knot on top of her head and she …
Wrong Path
Sam woke up. She touched her fingertips to her forehead. Her head pounded. She smacked her lips together and searched for a glass of water or a water bottle in grabbing distance. She glanced at …
Finding a Fun Girlfriend
Billy zipped up his black leather jacket, took out his gray beanie from his pocket and pulled it over his ears. He looked at Allison from behind as she zipped up her puffy light pink …
Wrong Path
Sam woke up. She touched her fingertips to her forehead. Her head pounded. She smacked her lips together and searched for a glass of water or a water bottle in grabbing distance. She glanced at …
Citizen of the World
I jump back as a motorbike speeds right in front of me. The man atop the bike has no regard to my presence. I walked out of my hotel and I am now standing in …
The Economics of Unlimited Dining: How Buffets Stay in Business
All-you-can-eat buffets have been a staple of the dining industry for decades. The concept is simple: for a fixed price, customers can help themselves to unlimited amounts of food and drink. However, behind the scenes, …