Carina took the back roads to the book club meeting, as instructed by Faye. A piece of paper with the directions lay in the passenger seat. “Faye, where are you taking me?” She bit her lip and shook her head. The suburban roads were a winding forested labyrinth of century-old estates, humongous subdivisions, and farm ...

The Old Woman ran her fingertips over the dead leaves, then clenched her hand into a fist, and clawed at the drooped plants. Water dripped out of the hose on the dry ground beside her. A strong breeze rustled from beyond the garden fence. They stood in the distance. Without her glasses, they were blurry ...