The Final Scene

by Steph Nelson

She plays the part of young Grace Hamilton, age nine. Never mind that she’s twenty-three.

“People come and go here. I don’t like to get attached.” “Getting attached is the only reason for living. Especially here. Otherwise, why bother?”

Favorite stories are full of friends to visit when you have nobody else.

“second-hand anxiety”

Brady would call the precaution ridiculous. But Brady’s never been a woman.

I’m telling you it’s better to go all in and try. Even if it means you might fail. I’d rather go out like that than live a nothing existence.”