“I’ve got an idea,” Amanda said as we sat in the evening traffic while commuting home. I looked over at her curiously from the driver’s seat and noticed her mischievous grin. “You should invite Anthony with you on that after-school activity that we’re supposed to run on Friday!” “Anthony?” I frowned. “You invited him to…
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 Album of the Year
When Felix updated his facebook status to say, “we are never ever ever getting back together… like ever” in August 2012, it felt like a personal attack. We’d been broken up officially for just a little over a month at that point. I’d yet to hear the would-be iconic song, and it was humiliating to…
The Day After Father’s Day
“I’m here,” read Seth Grady’s text, as if I’d been expecting him.“Here where?” I texted back on my q9 keyboard. Across from me Luna, the other co-op student at this elementary school sat cutting out half-sheet booklets for tomorrow’s lesson.“At St Amelia’s,” Seth replied. “Where you told me you’d be.”My eyes widened as I stared…
The Move
It's hard to see them coming sometimes - fundamental changes that irrevocably alter the whole makeup of your life. It feels like day in and day out, nothing really changes. The days feel long and monotonous. Same couch, same pandemic, same life. But these small, seemingly inconsequential, things happen every so often. You sell your…
The Fountain
The summer between elementary and high school, my best friend Chloe and I spent most of our Saturdays at Amuseland, the theme park conveniently located down the street from our neighborhood. My mom would drop us off on her way to work in the mornings and then pick us up on her way home. We…
The Celebrity
"Set up tables 31-35 in the dining room for a party of 14," James, the general manager at The Tap, said to another hostess. She disappeared into the dining room to arrange the tables. I frowned. We didn't typically take reservations on Saturday nights, even if it was 9:30pm. James explained, "it's for Mario Lopez."…
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…
The Crayons
When I was a child, long before I learned that I had not been blessed with any artistic talent, I used to watch the British television show Art Attack religiously. I would lye on my belly on the rug in my grandparent's living room watching Neil create such amazing things. It was my favourite show.…
Stories I've Never Told... 