The Other Side of the Glass

English: A pair of high heeled shoe with 12cm ...

English: A pair of high heeled shoe with 12cm stiletto heels. Category:Shoes (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The giant, posh office feels claustrophobic. Triple the normal occupancy and people bouncing off each other like balls in a lottery tumbler, chattering inanities and sipping champagne, this is not what Kendra signed on for. Top of her class she wanted to make a difference, then, unable to pay her loans on not-for-profit pay, she wanted to at least show off her skills. Instead she finds herself needing to play nice in this dog and pony show. Her years of education mean nothing, apparently, just how she looks in her little, black dress, and how sincere she can smile despite how much she despises the person she is speaking to. Continue reading

Fish Tank

English: Great white shark at Isla Guadalupe, ...

English: Great white shark at Isla Guadalupe, Mexico, August 2006. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is Dale’s favorite part of the deal: the party afterward. It is not just the libations, music, and women in their best little, black dresses that he appreciates. No, all that is icing on the cake. He loves that all this celebration is happening because of him. He made this, and so many other negotiations in the past, work, and he gets to stand out of the crowd, beaming like the proverbial kid in a candy shop. Continue reading

Friday Nite Poetry: Connections

White Hole

White Hole (Photo credit: coofdy)

As long time readers are aware, I occasionally get hung up on my hopeless singledom. I won’t say it invades my every thought and usually I can go weeks, even months without stressing about it. Last night was not one of those times however. Hence this weeks poetry.

As always, I will remind  you of my fundraiser. I would love to be able to pay the bills by bringing you wonderful folks the best that I can. And now I give you your weekly verse: Continue reading

Porch Swing

Robert's Porch Swing

Robert’s Porch Swing (Photo credit: spike55151)

Zachary eases back in the big swing on his big porch in his “rundown” neighborhood. People have come and gone over the years. The past few it has mostly been gone. He remembers when his mom and dad brought him up from Birmingham all those years ago to buy this house. It took every last nickel they had ever earned and they both worked like dogs to keep it. He just sits back, a big glass of ice tea in one hand and his pipe in the other. Continue reading

On the Inside Looking In

Five generations.

Five generations. (Photo credit: Veronica Foale)

Mary sits quietly and alone at her table in the pavilion. She watches as youngsters run around Riverside Park, as her son socializes with his sons and sons-in-law, as her granddaughter, aided by her friends, sister, and sister-law makes all the preparations. She does not offer to help. She long ago got bored with “thanks mom, but we got this.” So she just sits, and watches, as her family gathers to celebrate the high school graduation of her eldest grandson, Peter. Continue reading

No Shame in Her Game

Coffee

Coffee (Photo credit: mhaithaca)

Maggie leans against the slightly dirty brick wall. These smoke breaks are a little slice of heaven for her. They are only a minute or two long, but they are all she gets. She knows she is supposed to get more, but there is too much work to be done. There are too many customers with hungry mouths to feed. There is no time for real breaks, but that is fine, because the money is almost worth it. Continue reading