Falling. Hugo flailed for the tenth-floor railing. His fingers met only wind. Down he spiraled. His legs kicked, running in air. His arms clawed skyward. Eyes wide. Neck snapping in every direction. Then, to his left, someone else. Falling beside him. Purple lips and bruised skin. Jaw slack, foam trailing behind in the rush of …
The open-hand slap to his wife’s face could’ve been heard a block away, if anyone had been close enough. But he never disciplined her in front of witnesses. Gino had covertly followed her to this mostly empty filthy motel where she’d checked in wearing a wig. The large sunglasses were a nice touch, even at …
Paula gingerly set the hot tea on the side table, pulled a blanket over her legs, and sank into her overstuffed chair. She pulled the chain on the antique lamp. A cone of warm light bloomed, lighting the dark corner of her study. A fire crackled in her stone fireplace, the perfect reading atmosphere. She …
Two hours after the funeral service ended, Amy found herself at the wake hiding from the other mourners. She absently sifted through her sister’s clothes, crying softly. She buried her face in Emma’s favorite college sweatshirt and breathed in deeply. The smell of Emma flooded her with a lifetime of memories. Third grade. Emma facing …