“Lorraine’s fingertip dips into the glowing saint pool and comes up ruby red.”

“Loretta scooped turmeric into dry oatmeal, added water, and ate standing at the counter.”

“It’s dinnertime on Long Island. My father, a cop, is working the three to eleven, and the baby sleeps in his carrier.”

“I counted cash for the sitter. She folded the dollars, yelled ‘bye’ to the kid upstairs and ‘bye’ to the kid curled inside the sofa.”

“Scott pops a wheelie in the schoolyard. And another. We watch until Marky rides up, ridiculous, on a tricycle.”

The young bride, on a mission, strides into the kitchen and pinches a crumb from a Bundt.

Diane craved family even more than food. She had left several pleading voicemails — please come visit me, Sista.

“My father, in his leisure suit, rose from the couch and belted out the wedding march—don, don, da don, don, don, da don as I paraded my fancy dress around the living room finishing with a curtsy like I learned in ballet.”

“New Life. Such joy.

Rest right. Share news.”

“M for Misanthrope”

“Circle Game”

“It was her grandmother who quieted the bedside alarm every morning, rose from their shared bed, and returned with a chipped mug of milky sweet tea for Maureen.”

“Despite clouded chlorine vision, Mom’s August-tanned legs extending from strappy white sandals to pressed white shorts were unmistakable.”

“My husband leaned against the door frame, hung his head and told our son, Colin, “Mommy is mean; she doesn’t like dogs.”

“It’s dinnertime on Long Island. My father, a cop, is working the three to eleven, and the baby sleeps in his carrier.”

“Rough hands grab under Alison's armpits and lift her to her feet.”

“I miss sister.
When nothing else will, a thing that supercharges my pleasure zones is eating as fast as I can, shoving food into my mouth without thinking.”

“I drive to Grandma’s house with a present and an envelope for you. I hope you will read my note and let me back into your life.”