Madison’s World

Cindy silently picked up the scattered bits of fried rice, her fingers small and shaky as she placed them back on Madison’s plate. The fried rice, even cold, smelled heavenly.…

Greg, like Cindy, had eaten his fill of the Little pellets, the chicken flavored texture still clinging to his tongue. He’d thought he’d never be able to finish the bowl…

Madison walked over to the counter where she had set her parents down, placing her hand flatly on the surface, palm up. Greg and Cindy exchanged a quick glance, both…

Greg and Cindy could do nothing but cling to Madison’s fingers as she carried them down the hallway toward the stairs. From Madison’s perspective, they were supposed to be grateful…

The door to Madison’s bedroom swung open slowly, and Greg and Cindy both tensed. They had lost track of time; it could’ve been minutes or hours since Madison had left,…

The silence in Madison’s darkened room was oppressive, enveloping Greg and Cindy in a cocoon of isolation. They sat side by side, unmoving, lost in their own thoughts. It was…