Babes in Toyland

"Our new house overlooks a women's dorm"

B-school classes. Unfinished taxes. Need anti-acids. Everything still in boxes.“You say something, Sweetie?” Laurel looks up from her Netflix binge. Relaxed as a cat.Not like me. “The Zantac?” I ask. Stomach in knots.“Spare room. Carton labeled ‘Bath.’”Moved Friday. Needs paint,...

Love Street Ch 05 “Tracey’s Mom”

"It isn't Tracey, but Tracey's Mom who watches me intently from the darkness"

"I hear she's a divorcee with a teen-age daughter," Mom hisses to one of her Love-Street friends in a voice dripping with disapproval.My parents have owned a lakefront cottage in the Love Street development for as long as I can...

Love Street, Ch. 02 “Something about Mary… Wendy… and Liz”

""Umm," Mary asks shyly, "Do you think I could have have a turn now?""

An unfamiliar local number flashes on my cell-phone screen.”Hi, Mary. It’s Wendy!”Someone has the wrong number. But the voice is young and pleasantly feminine with a familiar intonation."Yes. This is Mary,” I tease."My, what a deep voice you have," Wendy...

Love Street, Ch. 01 “Grinding with Gretchen”

""Wait," Gretchen says, pushing me off the sofa. "Do it standing up so I can see better.""

I’m still unpacking when there’s a soft tap at my door. The girl who introduces herself as Gretchen, my Residential Advisor, has blonde ringlets, pale blue eyes, and a willowy frame that accentuates coltish legs that go on forever. Even in...