By: Angela Mazzola
“I’ll take the ham, one pound, thinly sliced,” Yolanda said, her head pounding from the relentless screams of her 4-year-old. “Thank you,” she added, grabbing the deli bag in a daze and pushing her cart forward.
“Oh my gosh!” a woman yelped as Yolanda accidentally rammed into her.
“I am so, so sorry!” Yolanda gasped, suddenly alert. “Are you okay?”
“Yolanda? Oh my goodness! How are you? It’s me, Melanie!”
Yolanda blinked. “Oh my gosh! I haven’t seen you since senior year of high school! How’s everything?”
As excitement lit up her face, Yolanda’s smile faded slightly, remembering why they’d drifted apart. Once best friends, they hadn’t spoken in years. Once, they were completely inseparable, and it took one man to tear them apart.
“Oh, things are good. Happily divorced,” Melanie replied with a smile.
“Don’t tell me… with John?”
“Yes,” Melanie said with a laugh. “But what about you? Who is this little one? What’s your name, sweetheart?”
“I’m Melanie,” Yolanda’s daughter said proudly.
The two women looked at each other, standing by the deli counter, memories washing over them. Yolanda felt a mix of embarrassment and nostalgia. Melanie, eyes glassy, gave a small smile.
She kept her promise.
Silver Charm
By: Angela Mazzola
Mommy falls up the stairs. I lie with my ragged pink pig. Door cracked, I play asleep.
I hear the floorboards creak as her heels drag. My door creaks open, the silver square charm hits my face when she kisses me.
That smell again, I never understand why she cleans late at night.
She taught me how to brush before bedtime. Doesn’t she?
Because daddy has not been home?
He left his caofla clothes, he only puts those on when he is gone, why is it here?
Why does she wear daddy’s necklace what the dogs at the park wear?