My Cardboard Balcony

I remember waking up at the hospital and feeling the needles in my arms. I knew what had happened prior to this arrangement - I could still recall the color and make of the vehicle that hit me. A blue Ford Focus, already sporting a decent dent in the front bumper. That should have been an omen for me.

by Belinda Roddie Blurg. The sound of a sunrise with a serious hangover. How do you like your mimosas now, you celestial creep? This week's prompt was provided by Arden Roddie.

Tell me why you want to try to be a rapper. Tell me what kind of beats you'll mix. Tell me how you're going to build your fanbase. Tell me all of your tips and tricks. I've never heard you utter a syllable. Is the only way you can do it? You stand on the stage and verbally rage and froth at the mouth like there's nothing to it. Tell me why you want to try to be a rapper. Is it your last attempt at communication?

Today was the last day of summer school, in which I had my students turn in short mysteries and expository papers centered around technology. Which I now have to grade in three days. Today was my sister's bachelorette party, so we got to hang out with cats and have drinks and good food in the city. Tomorrow is my sister's bridal shower, where we will be celebrating her imminent wedding ceremony in October. Monday is the first day of yearbook camp, which I will be partaking in with five of my students. I will also be supervising twelve middle school yearbook students. The Monday after that, I may or may not be called for jury duty. The week after that, I will be traveling to Seattle for a cousin's wedding. ...My summer's been pretty busy, hasn't it? Have a great night and a great weekend, everyone.

Bachelorette Party by Belinda Roddie Who knew that Aunt Sadie could down so many daiquiris?

How long can you be sleepless before the dreams you were supposed to have become real? I've heard it's possible - your brain readjusts to the dry wasteland of being awake, and so the hallucinations start while your eyes are still open. You see colors you didn't believe existed before, dipped in everything from infrared to ultraviolet. The textures are different, too - winter has gotten warmer, and the pins and needles in your feet create cushions.

Two Men by Belinda Roddie Two men were playing frisbee in the road where people had to navigate their cars around them as the wind began to blow this cooling summer night. Ignoring stars above their heads, they tossed their plastic disc at each other until it got too dark to see even with all the street lamps lit around them. Then the dogs began to bark, and the cats began to loiter on the street, and the teenagers were bored out of their minds, and the lovers listened to the subtle beats of the bands playing downtown. The lights made lines down the boulevards. One thing never grew old: Playing frisbee with your loved ones in the road.