Scattered Showers: Stories

It had felt so good to cry. Like her outsides matched her insides.

True love wasn’t guaranteed. No one owed you love. And you couldn’t earn it. You just had to be in the right place for it.

True love wasn't guaranteed. No one owed you love. And you couldn't earn it.

We think of ourselves - of everything - as having an ideal state. Like, we mature to an ideal state, and then we decay. What if the middle isn't the ideal? What if every moment along the curve is ideal? Because it's all happening the way it's supposed to happen?

She couldn’t get over thinking that, when it came to working out, it was the thought that counted.

I believe in true love," she said. He nodded again. "But I clearly don't know it when I see it. How can I ever say 'I love you' again? I'll have to asterisk it - 'I think I love you, but the only other time I said this, I was wrong. I don't actually know what love looks or feels like. I think I love you, but what do I know?

In the three years she and Noel had been friends, she'd spent a lot of time pretending she didn't need anything more than what he was already giving her. She'd told herself there was a difference between wanting something and needing it... "I need you to be my person," Mags said. "I need to see you. And hear you. I need you to stay alive. And I need you to stop kissing other people just because they're standing next to you when the ball drops.

Noel looked good. Long and pale. In dark red pants that no one else would wear. In a T-shirt that would have hung on him last year. He looked so good. And she loved him so much. And Mags couldn't do it again. She couldn't stand across the room and watch Noel kiss someone else. Not tonight. She couldn't watch somebody else get the kiss she'd been working so hard for since the moment they'd met. So, a few minutes before midnight, Mags scooped up a handful of Chex mix and acted like she was going into the hall. Like maybe she was going to the bathroom. Or maybe she was going to check the filter on the furnace.

You shouldn't focus on the bad things...Because you draw them toward you. Happiness is about focusing on good things and drawing those things toward you.

If you're a careful as you're supposed to be, you seem neurotic. I feel neurotic. Now. And I never used to be. I'm the sort of person who'd share an ice cream cone with a dog...But now I wipe down my mail.

I didn't choose you...I picked you up because you looked interesting, and didn't realize I was still holding you until I'd already left the store.

You're a kaleidoscope. You change every time I look away.

I don't compare your pain to mine when you're hurting.

I want to teach middle school.” “Why?” “Because middle school is terrible.” “You’re a sadist?” “No. I think I could be a good field medic.

What’s that stuff you carry around in your little container? Is it steroids? Or Grape-Nuts? Is it steroid Grape-Nuts?” He lowered his eyebrow, offended, but he still kind of laughed. “It’s hemp hearts.” “Is that legal?” “Yes, it’s legal. They’re good for you. Do you want to try some?” “No, thank you. I might run for office someday.

I feel forgotten" Anna said. "Mostly like I must have been fascinating once, for her to build all this or me." She looked around the yard. " I must have had promise, but then she just set me aside. It's a bit like knowing someone has fallen out of love with you.

They listened to music that reminded Summer of things that hadn't happened yet.