Other Stories in this issue

Joe Park's Little Girl

by Nikki Dolson

About the Author: Nikki Dolson's fiction is forthcoming or has appeared in Thuglit, Vignette Review, and the Red Rock Review. She is currently working on a collection of stories and a novel. When she’s not writing, she is arguing with civil engineers and designing water and sewer systems in Las Vegas, NV. She occasionally tweets @nikkidolson and tumbles over at tndolson.com.

Excerpt

Your boss—your former lover—calls to tell you that your father is sitting in his office and would you please come and collect him? So you do. You drive down, all the while thinking what if it’s not him? How could Simon be sure? He’s only seen your father once in pictures during the visit to your mother’s house back in the days when your love was new. It was his idea.

The two of you showed up at your mother’s house one bright Saturday morning and stayed until Tuesday. Your mother loved him on sight. Your Simon, dressed in his nice suit with his charming ways. Simon kissed her on both cheeks and hugged her until she squealed. That first night the neighbors came over and in your mother’s tiny kitchen your Simon played dominoes. You helped your mother cook until Simon called for you saying, “I’m losing, baby. Bring me some luck.” And you made yourself comfortable on his lap and played his tiles while he kissed your neck and whispered the dirtiest things into your ear. It was there in your mother’s kitchen that you fell in love with Simon. You often wonder where he was when he decided he didn’t love you.

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