Cycles

excerpt of short story from collection coming out at the end of April

(some people who are squeamish find this hard to read)

It’s as if she had always done this, leaning over the footboard of her bed to reach into the bottom of the shoe where she kept the blade.

The movements moved her mechanically, embedded in her flesh with whatever else was underneath.

Her parents didn’t understand why she did it, and frankly she didn’t e…