friendship
C.S Lewis got it right: friendship is born when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one!"
The Squad at 227 on Sunset Road
They were probably promised the world, when they were young, when their beauty was the most important quality they should have had. See Claudia still argues it is, but she’s covered it because she’s fucking tired of people telling her how it should be, she hid beauty behind layers of fat flaps that she doesn’t even bother to cover anymore. You can still see it in her face—beauty—the pain of it and what it must have meant to carry it around, the burden of those eyes. She was left alone, even he, the only man she ever loved and wanted and gave herself to, didn’t think beauty was enough in the end. And now she’s strong. She knows she lives a true life only now that she can stuff her face in cake. And she doesn’t have to be beautiful because she doesn’t give a shit, because it is not important anymore, because she enjoys being able to eat beans and fart all night alone in her bed. Now, Claudia lives next door to Barbara, and she heard her man beating her up. She heard it always at the same time, she heard every single slap she's been given, and knows how Barbara learned to scream in silence and cover the black marks on her neck with contour, because the shit-head squeezes tight around her neck and it felt almost as if she died last night. Claudia has monitored like a KGB agent and timed every fight, she now knows in detail the routine of the piece of shit, she’s been looking at the arms of the clock, counting every second, making notes, staying up, making cakes, eating cakes, giving no fucks. Tonight is the last night Barbara will be hurt, but Claudia knows she can’t do it alone. So she recruits from upstairs, the force of the women of the Smith family, mainly Helena, the queen of the kitchen and chained to her dishwasher and her side kick Gemma, the cleaning lady from the South of the country where tomatoes are as big as aunt Dina's head and they taste like stake. See Gemma didn’t take no shit from men either, and even if she didn’t go to school she was strong enough to hit her husband with the stir-fry wok the night he came back drunk and tried to set the house on fire with her in it, and her little daughter sleeping in her little bed. But Gemma hit him hard, and he fell on his knees, she tells the story laughing so hard her face goes pale. They all listen as smoke like chimneys. See it’s all they got now, nicotine, coffee and taking no shit. They listen to Gemma laugh as hard as hell as she tells them how he was on his knees and tried to grab her apron, but that wasn’t a smart move because he uncovered the back of his head, you see, and that’s when she hit him again and he fell on his stupid, red, drunk face and stayed there, and didn’t wake up until the police dragged him out the day after and told him to never, ever come back. And Gemma dreamt of that moment, the moment she could finally get rid of him, and still she laughs about it as she takes another drag and says “If I knew the wok had worked so well I would have done it fucking sooner.” Swearing is a thing, you see, no book of etiquette, or code of politeness for Gemma, nor Claudia, nor Barbara, nor Helena nor her four broken hearted, fucked up daughters. The tragi-comedy of five vaginas behaving like men in a patriarchal household, such a mess for little men thinking they are someone. Gemma has suddenly become the head of the committee. Barbara’s man has to go. The man is already down, he just doesn’t know yet. So they gather the courage, and a few tools, Gemma thought she might as well pick up the biggest wok, the upper class now bourgeois wok, in other words the heavier wok, Helena just will bring her motherly stare, and the power she borrowed from her husband’s name, the one who doesn’t touch her, look at her, or hasn’t asked her how she feels today in eight years, the one who maybe cheats on her but doesn’t even know how to put bread in the toaster. Claudia thinks she can just throw her self at him flapping like a bat. So they wait, and wait, and wait, Claudia has timed it all, and they wait and wait tick, tock, tick, tock said the fucking clock.
By Clara Malaussène8 years ago in Humans
Little Tribe 1973
Ten houses up our street, then down an embankment filled with trees and brambles, was the secret meeting place. Dawn, who lived next door to me, led me there on a spring day, near the end of fifth grade. I didn’t know much about the world, but I knew I loved the thought of adventure, so I willingly followed.
By Sarah Terra8 years ago in Humans
The Wilting Rose
What happened to my best friend? Where did she go? Ever since I had to cut you off, I've felt so alone. Last year we were vibing then a dull boy took your soul. He's been around for a few years but I've been by your side through the most. How could you choose him over me? We've been through so much together, we're supposed to stay by each other's side through the highs and the lows. Our friendship has been on the line of falling apart for quite some time now, but I haven't cared much until the other night. I reached out to you when I was in need of a friend, hoping that maybe I could give you another chance. You gave me a short reply and I'm used to that, but I got a little angry this time.
By Raquel Avery8 years ago in Humans
My Gracie
A car horn beeped outside and I jumped up from my place on the sofa, grabbed my backpack and bolted to the door. Bouncing down the steps, I jogged over to the car that was parked right outside with glee and hopped into the passenger seat. “Good afternoon,” a deep and husky voice said.
By Hannah Jayne8 years ago in Humans
The Power of Relationships
Happy Valentine's Week! As a single male in my mid-20's, I wouldn't immediately put myself in the same category as Hitch... but I do have 24 years of experience with putting relationships as one of my highest priorities in life. I have always had a large number of acquaintances, but it was only until recently that I discovered the power of putting your closest friends at the top of the list. When you decide to emphasize the "power of relationships," you begin to develop more accountability, motivation, positive influence, and an overall sense of well-being in your life.
By Renner Winston8 years ago in Humans
Friend Breakup
I recently had a friend breakup. It's been one of the hardest breakups I've had. You never expect to get so attached to people, but then when you do, you don't realize it until it's over. In my case, I felt like I had been protecting myself so much from romantic relationships. I thought that by investing myself in my friends for a while, I would be "safe." The truth is that there may always be someone to show you that you've left yourself a little too open.
By Karina Nistal8 years ago in Humans
From Weakness Comes Strength: Part One
I honestly couldn’t even tell you how long I have wanted to tell my story. The full version, unedited, uncut, wholesome story. I’d be lying if I told you this is going to be easy for me write, and even easier to share. There are parts of my story that not even my own parents and closest friends know of. (If you fall into those categories, don’t take offense to me hiding certain things; I did this to spare feelings and emotions while I also prefer to cope with certain things on my own.) I am finally telling everyone everything to symbolize me going into my adult life with a clean slate: no secrets and no bottled up stories and hidden emotions. I hope me sharing this can help others going through similar situations.
By Paranneting/Anne Reboa8 years ago in Humans
