A Holly Jolly Ever After

by Julie Murphy

maybe when it came down to it, being a kind person was more important than having an empty swear jar.

If the world thinks I’m a fallen angel,” I said, dialing Steph’s number, “then at the very least I want to choose my own wings.”

I had let the anger burn away the idea that I needed to be perfect in order not to be hurt, because even imperfect people didn’t deserve to be treated like trash cans.