Homebound: A Novel

by Meredith Trapp

Sometimes, I just want to scream at the world too. Let it out while you can, girl, ’cause when you’re all grown up, you’re gonna have to muster up a fake smile, and you’ll feel like you’re tacking on a cowboy emoji to hide all your hardest feelings.”

I wish I had a better comeback other than I’ll wreck you, but I always think of the best ones a week later in the shower.

“Why’re you squinting at me like that?” I ask. “I’m trying to see if you’ve got cataracts, because I think you might be going blind if you can’t see how he looks at you, and I’m concerned for your well-being.”

“Wyatt Dale Patterson. Are you flirting with me?” His fingers inch up my waist, climbing higher and higher. “Yes, ma’am. I have been for a while now. You gonna put me out of my misery and flirt back?”

“Not only does this song remind me of you, but I wanted my little girl to have a piece of the strongest woman I know.”