I went to the U.S. embassy in Perth recently for an event billed as “a coffee and a chat with the Consul.” Joshua was delightful but may have been overshadowed by the silver machine in the corner. “Drip coffee!” the Americans exclaimed after leaving … [Continue reading] about We’re All Invested
Name Change
What if today I announced to my children that from now on I would call them different names? The younger one would be Helen, and the older one would be, say, Hazel. They would now be sisters with the same first initial, more matchy-matchy, I would … [Continue reading] about Name Change
What To Do While You’re Waiting
I am waiting for my cat to come home. He disappeared on Wednesday. Today is Friday. People say he’ll come home, that cats always come home. But maybe you should check local shelters, just in case. I go to Cat Haven, which sounds almost like Cat … [Continue reading] about What To Do While You’re Waiting
Merge
“I’ve decided we should adopt.” Travis looks up from his crossword. His wife is on the other side of the living room, perched on the arm of the sofa, clutching her navy blue ceramic mug. She is still wearing her apron. Dinner was three hours ago. … [Continue reading] about Merge
The Scratch
“The scratch is getting better.” “That’s good.” She’s got a three-inch swollen line on her left cheek. The cat. “I really cleaned it. Got all the blood off. Used an alcohol swab and everything.” “That’s good.” “I kind of like it. It gives me … [Continue reading] about The Scratch