Family Vignettes*

* vignettes are short, impressionistic scenes that focus on one moment or give a trenchant impression about a character

I was getting ready to drive away in the rental van when I heard my name being yelled, "Ann...Ann..." I rolled down the window and saw my sister standing a few cars away. She was pushing the smoke out of one side of her mouth, talking out of the other. She said, "Don't stop. Keep working out. You look great! I'm serious, you look about 10 years younger. Really. Don't EVER feel guilty about investing in yourself." She's always been a powerpack of emotion- an extreme of overboard love and compassion and support on one side and on the flip side, her cut is like a razor blade tearing through a cardboard box. You think your exterior is solid and impenetrable, but her cut, penetrates all.