Just Like Mother

by Anne Heltzel

We can all reinvent ourselves. But who we were as kids never really leaves us.

Perfect is the enemy of good, Maeve.

I don’t want to be less happy just for the sake of not being alone.”

Why do women manipulate men? Ryan had asked me once. Do we? I’d replied, genuinely curious. Did we? If we do, I told him, it must be because sometimes it’s the only power we have.

It was funny how the smallest of tasks can level you, putting you back on a plane with the rest of humanity.

Just like twins. Just like Mother.