Melissa Taylor

“My Buddy James” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #241

Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t after you.Those were the last words said to me by my friend James before he killed himself. His tone was half joking, half serious when he said it. I replay it in my head over and over again until the tape wears out. I pull at the plastic film trying to understand what he meant. Who is the ‘they’ he was talking about? And why was he paranoid in the first place? Was it a joke? It doesn’t seem fucking funny anymore.Look, James was never a reliable narrator. I’m not saying he wasn’t trustwor...

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“Not Bad for 85. ” by Melissa Taylor

It’s 7am. I lean over to smack the shit out of my offensive alarm. I hit it with deadly aim; but of course, that’s a little too hard to be hitting an iPhone. “Fuck.” I whisper to myself. My hair is laying across my face like a large, well-made spider’s web. Some bits are in my mouth. I lift my head off the pillow and squint through my eyes so I can aggressively press the off button on my home screen. So much less satisfying than a good smack. I was having the most immersive dream. I was twelve years old and getting ready for school. In t...

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“I'll See You Later, Okay? ” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #237

Growing up, I was always active. I remember one afternoon; I tore through the house like a Tasmanian devil. I wanted to get in and out as quickly as possible. I knew I probably could’ve peed outside instead, but I’ve always been a girl with standards. I didn’t want to waste a single second of daylight though, so I rushed myself. I sat on top of that porcelain throne with my ass barely touching the seat, squeezed out my bladder and then spun that roll of toilet paper like it was the Wheel of Fortune. I was up and gone in less than a minute...

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“Honeymoon for One” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #233

This trip hasn't been at all what I expected. I was supposed to be coming here for a romantic honeymoon in the Tuscan countryside. Instead, I'm here alone, hanging on through sheer spite and honestly with the help of a few overly priced but delicious cocktails from the plane. There aren’t enough Bloody Marys or Mimosas in the world for finding out that the groom is still in love with his high school sweetheart. I mean really, what the fuck? Well, at least when he left, he was oh so...

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“LateNight with Victoria Hamilton” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #231

“People are fascinated by you and by your story. Do you want to share a little bit about it with me?” My eyes are wide as I look down at the table in front of me. I’m searching for the words to begin. Do I want to tell anyone about it? I feel strongly that I do. Why? Any time I’ve spoken about my life I’ve always said too much. I spend hours painstakingly going back over every word I said and replaying every glance and every expression I saw on someone’s face as I told my story to them.I take a deep breath in and let ou...

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“Just the Hot Chocolate, Thanks. ” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #229

I remember going shopping as a kid during the holidays. It was busy, and bustling and there were people all over the place. It was exciting. Everyone would smile at me and ask me about what I wanted for Christmas. I loved it. Every year, when I’d go out with my mom she’d be stressed. She’d wring her hands and pull at her hair as we walked. I would stop and talk with every stranger who would listen. I’d tell them anything they wanted to know, and at the end when we said goodbye, I’d say “buh bye, I love you!” I guess I’d said i...

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