Phase II: The interlocking of new growth and clean hair — I endured seven straight weeks of not washing, scratching, and messing with my hair. Seven weeks. Please let that settle in your spirit for a moment. …

50-word Story: Animate your life — “Ask me anything, I can help.” My friends could count on me for “advice.” I gave them my opinion on vehicle decisions to relationship inquiries, and when to relocate. The only thing I never really did was charge them for my knowledge, and that is where Lucy and I differ. …

I’m blessed to have her. I hope she’s blessed to have me, too. — If you know what it feels like to be walking on what you think is your last leg — limping on worn-out shoes, tortured feet, and trying to carry the weight of your body with the world resting on your shoulders and a special someone is right there for support…

Flash Fiction — He lay in the middle of the road, shivering from the intense cold. Darius slows the car down to a stroll. …

an audio poem — I am taken aback by her — by who she is, what she does, and how she moves about in this world. she is bold — passionate about life and her surroundings, and I stand on faltering feet, wondering when I’ll be able to l o o s e…

And I love this woman so much — I buy a few things that give me peace; fuzzy socks, The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama, amber, sandalwood, and lavender-scented candles, and sink into the first days of the new year losing pain and heartache, yet honoring grief. A mourner does not need to discuss their mourning. I…

Part V: Learning to leave anger in the past — “How dare that son of a bitch put our daughter in the middle like this?! I hated him before, but now?! Rena, I could gut that fool. I’m so angry right now!” “I know you are. But we have bigger fish to fry now. Bree isn’t mad at you. She…