This story “I Wait” was published by Crack the Spine literary magazine on 11/26/2018. This story is also nominated for Pushcart 2019.
Every day I dress like that day ─ lacy chiffon dress that hangs loose on me now, your ruby ring on my finger, chandelier earrings on my lobes ─ and wait.
Violinists and saxophonist set their chairs, hats, and blankets next to me; panhandlers stand, their arms outstretched, forming a line beside me; peddlers display their keychains and shell-necklaces. A market around me. I am the clock tower.
Curious eyes, young and old, scan every inch of me. Some fingers touch my discolored cheek; some curl around my bony wrist; some throw coins at my seaweed-clad feet. Women shut their eyes and blow their wishes on me.
When not many humans are around, crabs crawl up and down my long legs; seagulls perch on my head.
I don’t blink at the fizz, or at the salt-laden air, or at the camera flashes, or at the birds’ claws digging into my scalp.
My eyes are fixed on the sea. Tiring and shaming. The sea will return you to me.
Here’s the link to the story.
