J. C. Ellefson

(From the Modern Latin Theatre) She can play somebody's little girl—wearing a purple slap on her cheek. She's fifteen—holding hands with her boyfriend —in the night doorway, inside the city famous for listening to its own breathing. It's a dar [...]

I spoke to her all the days she was inside me. I'm Lilly, I'd say. I'm Momma. And all the days through the rain and the heat when she'd roll and say, Please Momma—like she wasn't sure she wanted to go where it was all going to take her. Even then I [...]