Madison’s World

“It’s taken you longer, Mom,” Madison said, “but you’re doing so much better.”  Cindy stayed still on Madison’s chest, her body still softened by the pets, her mind still reeling from the…

Cindy did not want to ask.  She hated that she was going to ask. Hated that the thought had been circling her mind for weeks in different shapes, waiting for…

Cindy felt the cold truth of reality fall over her.  It did not arrive like panic. Panic was hot. Panic moved quickly. Panic gave the body something to do, even if that…

“I still want a Japanese Little, Mom,” Madison said. The words came quietly, almost dreamily, like they belonged to a different conversation. Madison was still lying back on her bed…

“I’ll get you some pellets in a few minutes,” Madison said.  Her voice was soft, almost sleepy, and Cindy felt it vibrate faintly through the warm rise of Madison’s chest…

Ava, Emma and Krysi had left only a few minutes earlier. Their departure had been easier than Evan and Brooklyn’s, less theatrical and less drawn out, though Krysi still managed…