How about a sandwich? Her words were casual enough, but her voice made me feel she was more in need of company than food.

Only twelve, but too serious, sad, and worried.

I told her, Soon you’ll blossom into a fine young lady. Obviously she wanted much quicker than soon.

Jim Freeze is seventy-two years old, retired and widowed. He was happily married for fifty-four years and has two grown sons. He began writing in early 2012 to have something to do. His short stories have been featured in several publications including Brilliant Flash Fiction, Calliope Magazine, The Original Writer, and Literally Stories.