Cackle

by Rachel Harrison

It doesn’t matter how old you get. A superlative will always be insulting when it’s awarded to anyone but you.

Unfortunately for me, “getting out there” and “meeting new people” are among my least favorite things.

I’d forgotten the difference between choosing not to participate and being excluded.

As a new teacher, I ready myself for the peculiar cruelty of these hormone-addled, angst-driven evil meat sacks.

Only animals have eyes like that. Innocent voids. I’ve held a baby before; as soon as we’re born, our eyes are filled with want.

It’s astonishing what you’ll accept when you want love. When you need it. You’ll welcome it in any form, from anyone, anything, regardless of circumstance, however peculiar. However fantastical.