My Cardboard Balcony

My Alibi by Belinda Roddie My alibi is this: I was not at the club last night because I was taking care of an old friend, crazy as a bat and terminally ill. He was breaking everything in his house when I arrived at exactly ten thirty-two at night. I'm surprised that I managed to survive his period of rage. I set things right, calmed him down, and reminded him that I was there to help him. He fell asleep just before eleven, and I left him by the TV, snoring on the couch. I trust in you, so I'd wish you could trust in me, instead of these weird rumors you believe.

I always enjoyed watching the figure skaters whenever my sister and I went to the ice rink. I never liked skating myself when I was younger, and of course, now it wasn't even feasible. I sat comfortably in my wheelchair as my sister twirled across the rink's glistening surface, growing whiter and whiter with each graze of the blades strapped to her feet. Nearby, a male skater was approaching her, wide-eyed and curious.