Don't Kiss Me: Stories(29)

I WAS CHEWING IT AS I HAD SEEN HER DO BUT THEN I LOST CONTROL

I WAS NOT POPULAR IN HIGH SCHOOL

I WATCHED PROM FROM THE SAFETY OF THE FRONT SEAT OF MY FATHER’S CAR, I USED BINOCULARS

AFTER, I WENT TO THE DENNY’S AND WATCHED THEM ALL FROM A BOOTH AT THE BACK





I USED BINOCULARS


I MET MY HUSBAND ON THE INTERNET, HE WAS THE ONLY OTHER PERSON AFRAID OF WIND ASIDE FROM ME THAT I COULD FIND

DURING OUR FIRST LUNCH THIS WOMAN HELD ME WHILE I CRIED, WIND HAD TOUCHED MY FACE ON THE WALK TO THE CAR AND I KNEW THAT MEANT A CARTOON DEMON HAD MOLESTED ME

FOR CHRISTMAS THIS WOMAN GAVE ME A SATCHEL OF POTPOURRI, THERE WAS NO CARD AND I WAS EMBARRASSED FOR HER

REGARDLESS I ATE IT ALL ON THE DRIVE HOME

I GAVE HER A COUPON FOR A FRIENDSHIP SNUGGLE, IT WAS EASY, I PRINTED IT OFF THE INTERNET

I ALSO E-MAILED IT TO HER

SHE HAS NOT CASHED IT IN BUT EVERY DAY IS A NEW DAY

I GUESS I LOVE THIS WOMAN





IT GNAWS AT ME


BUT SEE IT’S GOT TO WHERE THESE DAYS I CAN’T TELL WHAT’S WORTH CONFESSING ANYMORE





ACKNOWLEDGMENTS


An assault of kisses are owed to featherproof books, and Zach Dodson in particular. To Jac Jemc, for her early enthusiasm for the collection. To Mary Hamilton, who brought out the short-story writer in me. Amelia Gray, for terrifying and inspiring. Emily Bell, who is a badass. Jim Rutman, for helping champion my work. Matt Trupia and Sarah Grainer, writers and cherished friends who made me weirder. And finally, to my husband, without whom I shudder to think.