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Drabble Corner

Michelle Swisz

Here is this month’s Drabble, on the theme of readiness:

I'm Ready!
by Jessica Michaan

As I sit on his couch watching him work, I try to imagine how our lives together would be: a small apartment in which the kitchen would be his domain; Saturdays with my family, Sundays with his; going to the gym together after work. He sees me smiling and smiles back at me as if to say, "Hang on, I’ll be done soon."

But then fear makes me think for an instant of life without him. And I don’t get sad at all because the possibility can’t even enter my mind. It just doesn’t exist. And right then, I know.

Recently, I participated in a role playing exercise for a class having to do with communication. My partner, in character, said to me, crying, that she felt worthless. I was, in character also, alarmed, but as we talked, she said that no, she was not planning to kill herself. She felt only at that moment, but not in general, that no one loved or acknowledged her, not her husband nor her children, and that she must be of no benefit to anyone. She didn't feel a part of things, but instead, apart from the world.

I asked her when she did feel connected to life. She thought a little bit, and then recalled times as a young girl when she played the piano in recital, and when she danced in competition, feeling as though she was truly flying. Her face began to soften, and then broke into a slightly mischievous grin. And as she remembered these times, her posture opened up—instead of her heart being hidden and blocked behind crossed arms, it was left open to express the joy she felt. In feeling connected, she felt herself to be the benefit that she is.

What is it that makes you feel most connected? Tell it in a Drabble (story form, not essay). Here are the Guidelines. Send your Drabble to drabble@wvu.org. Drabbles are 100 words exactly, excluding title, and are due by the 10th of the month (so Drabbles for May are due by April 10).

See you next time.

About the Author
Hello, and welcome to Drabbles. I'm Michelle, your Drabbles editor. I live south of San Francisco, with four spoiled cats, near the sea where I love to walk every day. I've tutored English in workshops, classrooms, and individually at San Jose State University, and have worked on the Fiction Panel here at Writers' Village. Comments and questions are always welcome!