Ruthless

May 7, 2012January 5, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 15 Comments

"... shiftless, thriftless, and hopeless." Her overpriced attorney continued listing what she thought were his short-comings as a father, while his ex, in a $1,000 silk suit, smiled like a Cheshire Cat. Sitting with his infomercial lawyer, wearing jeans he had since college, he was grateful the judge wouldn't allow their son in the courtroom. … Continue reading Ruthless

Blacksheep

April 10, 2012January 5, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 20 Comments

"She had to know she'd cause a scandal," Ralf paced across the porch, stopping occasionally to peel chips of paint from the dilapidated railing. "The Family couldn't allow it." Hilda, Ralf's common-law wife, was on the porch swing, a bowl of estate jewelry in her lap, meticulously prying gems out of their settings with a … Continue reading Blacksheep

Why isn’t this enough

March 26, 2012January 6, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 9 Comments

"I want you to show me why this isn't enough." They've been in the kitchen for a long time. Two cartoons worth at least. Mommy's voice had that funny little wiggle in it that meant she was about to ugly cry again. She does that a lot now. Mommy bought the pretty paper last week. … Continue reading Why isn’t this enough

Tip jar

March 16, 2012January 6, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 5 Comments

Twenty-four, seven Mother's work is never done Hugs and tips welcome I was up until the wee hours of the morning recently. It was 12:34 a.m. to be exact. I know this because that was when my soon-to-be 19-year-old son walked through our front door. If you know me, for me to be awake at … Continue reading Tip jar

An encounter in frozen foods

February 27, 2012January 9, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 22 Comments

Over the weekend my son had what can only be described as one hellacious skateboarding crash. Not a little veered-off-the-road, or a jumped-the-curb sort of accident... more like a Tosh.O-video-highlights or Johnny Knoxville kinda crash. All road rash, torn flesh, head wound, blackish purplish bruises, bloody bandages kinda crash. He is head-to-toe sore, but was … Continue reading An encounter in frozen foods

A conversation

February 21, 2012January 5, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 14 Comments

Unable to interrupt the tantrum the person was throwing on the other end of the call, Gail held her phone out at arm's length. With the other hand, she folded down three fingers, forefinger to her temple, thumb cocked, then pulled the imaginary trigger. Making the most grotesque face she could, she fell to her … Continue reading A conversation