She spent the winter wrapped in a chrysalis of heavy coats and bulky sweaters.
He laughed when she passed. Made references to the Michelin Man. Yetis. Stay Puft Marshmallows.
Spring came; ice melted. She shed her coats and emerged a butterfly. Shook his apologies off her wings like water. Soared.
Kathleen Latham’s work has most recently appeared in Bright Flash Literary Review, Boston Literary Magazine, and Fictive Dream. She lives outside of Boston, MA and can be found online at KathleenLatham.com.
It’s a tribute to this story, that I’d like to know more. Did she pass as in die? Or just pass him in the street? Sounds like she was alive as she “shook off his apologies”. He sounds like a creep. Either way, I like stories that make me think!
Beautifully written and inspiring.
Shedding wizened layers in a few sentences. This thought-provoking piece will stay with me.
This is a perfect description of what every awkward teen with no self-image or self-empowerment goes through when they feel trapped under the layers of self-consciousness and insecurity. And then with time they realize their own worth and are elevated miles above those who ever deigned to mock them. Brought back all the feelings of puberty and growing up with beautiful diction of a butterfly transformation tying the piece together.
Another wonderful piece by Kathleen Latham!! She is my absolute favorite author and her work is always inspired. I am in love with the delicate choice of words in this and every piece of her writing. “Shook his apologies off her wings like water” is such an incredibly constructed poetic line that paints a picture of a the exact self-actualization and confidence that comes with growing up. 10/10.
Thank you for all the beautiful comments!