The Speed of Light

by Elissa Grossell Dickey

“Because you don’t have room for anyone else’s suffering right now.” Nikki’s voice is soft; she’s dealing the blow gently. “And I get it. But it leaves no room for anyone else to ever have any pain around you.” I stare at her, too dumbfounded to

They say you spend more time with the people you work with than your own family—they might annoy the hell out of you, but when it comes down to it, you’re in the trenches together every day, and there’s a certain solidarity to it. A certain loyalty.

“Do they jump on you if your choice isn’t what they agree with?”