Author: Mitsuko Nagasaki

A Piece of Happiness I slid open the door to my daughters room, careful not to disturb her too much.

The papers youre trying to hand me, Ive seen them before, Margaret. They wont work on me a second time.

The Difficult Wife Sophie surfaced slowly from the mist of pain and bleeps, like she was rising from

Eight Years of Trifles The telephone rang at half past seven, just as Eleanor was standing by the cooker

The Right to Yourself The morning began, as ever, with silence. Not the kind you get when the house is

Keys I love him! And youre bothering me with all these silly things! I wont listen to any more!

Raindrops Shes not scary at all! Shes beautiful! Max, tell them! Sasha clutched a battered, scrawny cat

The perfume in the car was almost suffocating. Anna cracked the window open a couple of inches, letting

I gave my husband an ultimatum. Mum, why are we going to Grandma Maureens? I dont want to. Its boring there.

Take your daughter and leave. Were through! I dont want to see you anymore! But, James Ive said enough. Go!