33. Radio

Those sounds were her only way out. They took her far from the bellows of her father’s insults, her mother’s passivity and the never-ending chores of village life. It held words and music that spoke of opinions and freedom. It was better than the stories her older sisters bragged of from afar. The voices became imaginary friends and she had pretend conversations with each character when the signal faded at night. Unfortunately what seemed dreamy as a child became grating later on. So she lived her adult life in silence.

32. Paris

Everyone said that a change of scenery would do it. That if she discovered a new focus it would all go away. They were wrong. She still thought of him obsessively. It was never going to matter where she was or whom she was with, he would remain in of her soul. That’s how she felt until she spilt her coffee and her life truly changed forever.

31. Closeup Smoke

It pained her to make the decision. She held it everywhere in her body, tightening and straining places that had never known tension. The struggle engulfed her in a way that was annoying and pesky, knowing it was time to face it for herself and no one else. She was happy the Tabac sold Galoises by the carton.

30. Fanny

The psychic said it would be this way. But when it actually happened and the scenario played itself out, she was in disbelief. She was at its centre but had no control, it was like dying and looking down from above. When the shock wore off she swore to never let someone look at her palms again.

29. Joséphine

The weight of the decision was pretty heavy. She wanted to think long and hard about it and at the same time she felt completely ambivalent. She suddenly tuned into the fact that this is how she felt about a lot of things. And it made her want to feel more. So she opened the sunroof and stuck her head out until the cold wind took her breath away and made her eyes tear. Then she called him and said no.

28. Fingerpuppet

No one had heard his real voice for a long time. He told the truth, forthwith and outright, even if it came out in a high-pitched girlie tone. It was easier this way he told himself. He didn’t think he was hiding behind anything significant since he spoke from the heart. But it was increasingly lonely and hard to make friends. And people laughed at him a lot.

27. Joséphine

She had her party face on and a cute top. She had no expectations walking in other than a good drink and a few compliments directed her way. The hostess was gracious, the music was welcoming, the men were attractive, but it was ultimately the small talk that killed her. Either that or the shrimp cocktail.

26. Pink Floyd

He was a collector. It was a badge of honor to find his niche. He delved into every aspect of being labeled such. But sticking to it while ignoring everything else life had to offer was starting to suffocate him. He rethought this kind of commitment and decided it was time to grow up.

25. Portrait

She was inclined to believe the best in everyone. The best part about him was that he wanted her, but in one way only. He treated her like a one-dimensional creature, a fantasy, and she was starting to figure, a whore. Time had erased her cultivated points and her potential for growth. It wasn’t her fault, but it would take years for her to realize that.

24. Spectacles

He looked unsure but he was in fact the opposite. He toyed with shyness to woo whom he liked then lured them in with his special brand of narcissism. His confidence was overpowering. The combination was heady and few could withdraw willingly

23. Stockings

She was thoughtless with her intention. In that one action she would alter her life forever and introduce something she wasn’t even truly sure of. It set the tone of who she was from here on in and living up to it was not easy. It would be years before she realized it only brought lechery. And at some point she would have to separate her true self from it.

22. Elevator

If she could just get him alone she would tell him everything. It had been weeks and finally her chance had arrived. She had thought of every scenario but this. She was supremely terrified and the anxiety bubbled up to her throat making it impossible to put logical thoughts into place. She blurted it out the minute they were alone and he was taken aback. But he knew her well enough now to see behind the nervous eyes.

21. Workers

She was a follower and she knew it. She joined their ranks unknowingly some time ago. Now it was the fight of her life to deviate from them. She spent an inordinate amount of time convincing herself, and then others, that she didn’t belong there. But there was ease and a comfort to the unconscious cruise, so she was lulled into staying, day after cyclical day.

20. Sushi Cloth

They rarely got out without the kids. And even in that moment when he should have ponied up to maturity, it grandly eluded him. She had to pretend he was someone else. Then his tenderness disarmed her and reminded her that T-shirts on date night were okay.

19. The Number

Talking to her went like a charm. Her body signals towards him were positive. She lived in the suburbs but was planning to move downtown as soon as she got a good enough job. They both loved horses and pizza. After his silent analysis, it seemed like enough to have in common, even over the club music. But she gave him a fake number and he was devastated.