I watch the truck drive away. It gets smaller and smaller as time passes. A clock ticks behind me, a steady, soft rhythm. Its tempo keeps me sane, but also drives me crazy.

My arms rest on the window sill. My mother watches me. She comes up behind me and gives me a hug and tells me things are going to be okay. I don't believe her.

All the other kids' dads showed up for career day. Except for one. He says his dad is an astronaut, that he's up in space right now and can't come visit. There are no astronauts named Smith in space right now. I say nothing.

Cigarettes don't smell good. They don't taste good either. They make me feel good though. Terry likes them, too, and I want him to like me.

Terry whispers into my ears. He says I am the only one he loves. I believe him.

I cry on my bedroom floor. I can't believe he lied to me. He said I was the only one in his life. He said he would never hurt me, never abandon me, so why...

Astronomy is fun. The stars don't look like they move, but if you watch them for long enough, they move a lot. They follow a pattern, though. It's nice to be able to predict those things.

My wedding dress is beautiful. It's everything I ever hoped it would be. And he looks beautiful too.

I pour two cups of coffee into stained mugs. The dishes are piled up in the sink, and the cry of an infant resounds throughout the apartment. I hear a key turn in the door. He enters. I rush up to him, grab his coat collar, and press my lips against his.

This may not be a fairytale, but it's our life. And I'm okay with that.