“What Mothers Do” by Bill Butler

As a five-year-old, I didn’t know how poor we were. We had just moved to Manhattan and knew no one in the city . . .

“Weed and Liquor, Never Sicker” by Emeka Patrick

There was a reason I only smoked weed occasionally after college—and it wasn’t just due to that one Hash Bash where I smoked too much and momentarily passed out . . .

“Safe to Cry” by Nyaboke Nduati

In my mind I could hear the phone ringing, but my eyes were fixated on the first page of a chapter in my thesis that needed work. All I could think about was how sick I was of that thesis. It all seemed pointless. None of the contents of this two hundred–page document was going to change the world in the slightest way . . .

“Yoga Bitch” by Kathleen McElligott

I’ve maxed out my credit cards. I got fired. I only leave the house for organic food—and yoga . . .

“Boarding School Drop-Off” by Leslie Martini

On September 11th of this year, we drove our thirteen-year-old daughter to a boarding school for children with learning differences.

It was the second-worst day in memory. The first was when she was three months old and the pediatrician told me she had fragile X syndrome . . .

“if you leave a twenty and a crackhead alone in your room, it’s your own damn fault!” by Eshu Bandele

I started by speed walking, then high-stepping, then flat-out mad dashing. I knew that my increasing anger was irrational.

Really, if you leave twenty bucks and a crackhead alone in your room, it’s your own damn fault! . . .

“Pierced” by Mina MacLeod

It cut through me like a knife. Not a sharp one—quick and hot and over immediately, no. That would have been too simple. Jacob’s first meltdown was more like a dull, rusted blade that sawed its way back and forth over my heart . . .

“West End Boy” by Robin Hall

After the meal we headed back to the Groucho Club. We were a few drinks in now. We went upstairs and had some cocaine in the restroom . . .