Up There, Singing
Blue Arrangements, December 2024.
“When Todd asked Abigail to be his wife, she climbed out of the hot air balloon and into a free fall, breaking both legs and her pelvis. Recovery was long and grinding, but she didn’t complain. In fact, she was pleased; it wasn’t death but the wheelchair she was after.
She loved Todd. He was slight and timid, but clever enough to tease her. She liked that. He didn’t care much for other people, and she liked that too. She wanted him to care for only her. She loved his thick red hair and chapped lips. How they shared the same birthday and weren’t too proud to take the train or tip street dancers. She loved him and would never leave him but lived in crippling fear that once promised to him, whatever magic made her singular would lose its power. He’d learn how unremarkable she was and break her heart irreparably. She fell to end the uncertainty, certain that after a few months of elevators, graceless kisses, and pity-whispers, Todd’s love would lose its pulse, and she’d be free …”
this opening paragraph 😭