I remember vividly when I first discovered lying. I must have been about 3 or 4 years old. I was prone to stomach pains, even back then. While I don't remember the exact context surrounding the grand revelation, I remember the excitement when my brain finally connected the dots. I could just say I have…
The Suburban Plaza
I placed my work tote in the backseat, next to my not one but two gel memory foam cooling charcoal activated pillows. I was sleeping over at my parents’ house to take care of my bedridden grandmother while my grandfather was getting hip replacement surgery. Without those pillows my neck would kink, and I wouldn’t…
The Skates
Paul and I drove the two hours to get to the Ice and Fire skating trail. It was this beautiful 1.5km skating trail lit by tiki torches. I didn’t think it would matter that I wasn’t an excellent skater. We were at the brink of collapse in our relationship. We both knew we were on…
The Definition
I was sitting on my cousin Emily’s road rug, imagining myself as a teeny tiny person, walking along the sidewalk in this town from the school to the mall, when Emily asked me, “Lexi, do you know what sex means?” I shuddered at the sound of the word said out loud. As the younger sister…
The Poser
The year was 2008. Facebook had only been around for us for just over a year or so, only starting to gain traction. It was still a relatively adult-free space, despite having opened up for anyone with a valid email address. It was quieter then, freer. No parents or aunts around to see our binge…
The Movie
I met Terrance Verbly at the bus stop one afternoon in late August. Neither of us could afford cars, although one of our favourite topics of conversation revolved around what we'd do when we finally bought them. My dreams always ended up with the impromptu road trip of a lifetime down south to Mexico. Terrance…
The Chickens
"Paul got chickens???" My best friend Cynthia texted me one afternoon. "Chickens?" I texted back. I had absolutely no idea what she was talking about. "Like, as pets?" She sent me a screen shot of Paul's instagram, the latest picture featuring five chickens outside on grass beside my estranged cat, Zart. "Chickens!" I texted back.…
The End of an Era
My home phone was ringing as I walked through the door. My heart skipped a beat. Was the school calling to rat me out for skipping my last class that day.. and every other day this week? "Hello?" I asked, waiting to see if I'd hear the click before the automated truancy message from the…
The Bridgewood Kids
I walked down the long university corridor slower than everyone else. I was still adjusting to my new life's pace. I'd only graduated high school six months prior, but I felt light years ahead, in another lifetime. In high school, I'd slid through with common sense and minimal effort. I made the honour roll and…
The Illness
My feet dangled freely from the wooden dining room chair as I dunked my chocolate chip cookies into a mug of milk. As I ate, I watched my favourite television show, Full House, on the bulky brown television set in the corner of my grandparent's kitchen. I liked this episode a lot so far. I…
Stories I've Never Told... 