Guilliean reads her short story of the same name. Stream it and read along with the text! Miriam woke up with a start. The bedsprings squeaked as she yawned. The haze of sleep guided her eyes to Agnes. The bottle-blonde slipped on her black cotton top, blinking at her phone. 5:15 AM. The ripples of Agnes’ muscles sent a jolt of fire into her belly. “Leaving already?” “I figured I’d get out of here early, so I don’t get papped with you,” Agnes explained through a well-timed yawn. “I can’t find my bra. Where did you throw it last night?”…

Guilliean reads her short story of the same name. Stream it and read along with the text! My name wasn’t always Mary. A Biblical name, the cross we bear that is entwined with that female epithet, the feminine sanguinity that spills with every moon’s phase. It was gifted to me. I don’t know where it begins. It always was. I’m unsure of my real name. So many years have passed, and I haven’t found a reason to call myself anything other than Mary. I am Mary. My tombstone will bear the name Mary, for the Mary before and the Mary…

Guilliean reads the second half of her short story of the same name. Stream it and read along with the text! “I wish I knew what that was. I mean, work is work, but I don’t feel fulfilled. What about you?” he asked. “What about me?” I replied. “What do you want to do with your life?” I jerked my head back like I had been electrocuted. “I don’t know.” He smiled at me. “Nah, girl, take your own advice. What are you supposed to be doing?” I shrugged and looked away. “I’ve always wanted to be a writer.” “Have…

Guilliean reads part of her short story. Stream it and read along with the text! Finally. Lunch. I could unwind for 60 minutes away from the madness and try to get back to square one before I would have to go back for another three hours and do it all again. What am I doing with my life? Why did I accept this job? Oh, that’s right, because I’ve got bills. How many other people have jumped into the abyss and been okay? Why am I so afraid? These were the same questions I asked myself as I prepared my…