I woke one morning with a strange new ability. I could see the lies people told themselves written on their faces. I avoided the I’m-importants and the I’m-a-winners, walking the streets until I found a sad-eyed boy who lied, “I don’t care.” I took his hand and led him home.
Fiona H Evans is a mathematician who just quit her day job. She lives on Noongar Boodja in Perth Western Australia with an aging but beloved dog. You can read more of her writing at fionahevans.com.
Michael really likes you,
Her parents insisted
When she was 20
I find him dull, she countered
You can’t be too particular, her father said
You have to think about what you have to offer.
Was it her extra pounds he meant?
Or her personality?
She wished she had asked
Miriam Stein is a social worker, writer, and the author of Make Your Voice Matter With Lawmakers: No Experience Necessary. See more at makeyourvoicematter.com. She lives in Massachusetts.
What do I love about my body? Not much.
They say I’m good enough, and smart. Am I?
I stare in the mirror at my unrecognizable face, then stick my tongue out, giggling, cracking a smile.
You’re important. You matter.
A face painting class is just what I needed today.
Lisa Miller is a native of Portland, Oregon. You can check out many of her stories on Friday Flash Fiction.