WORK
BY JESSICA TREAT 
WORK
BY JESSICA TREAT
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| There were hunting dogs on the wallpaper where we sat around a table. The room was dark and the cake was dark chocolate. Her father had thick glasses. Her mother smiled at me, When will you come again, Rebecca? Maybe Rebecca wants to spend the night - wouldn't you like that? her father said. My name is Monica, I said into my napkin. I was sweating. I wished they'd stop leaning toward me. Where's your brother? I asked her. I wanted to ask where her other friends were, why no one else had come. He isn't here. He lives in a home, she said. Maybe Erika would like to meet our boy, her father said. Wouldn't you like to go to the Home? I want to go to my own home, I said. They laughed as if I'd made a big joke. We like Erika very much, don't we? her father said. And they nodded with smiles too big for their faces. | |
| - JESSICA TREAT | |
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From the COFFEE-TO-GO short-short story collection
Published by Coffee House Press. | |