My Cardboard Balcony

Opposite Night by Belinda Roddie Strange how the cold can overheat you, how the lights of a bridge can darken your view. How the hard, uninviting teeth of a wooden floor try to nibble at your knees as you collapse. Water brings you thirst. Food makes you hungry. Sleep is utterly exhausting. There are no longer any rules.

"I don't know, sis," Owen quipped. "Don't you think that's a bit of a stretch?" "What do you mean?" "I mean I don't think it was as bad as you remember," he explained. "Sure, it was a rotten year, no doubt about it. But the worst year of your life?" Rose stiffened. "You mean the year of my horrid break-up, my lost job, and my bad health? I don't think I'm exaggerating here, dude."