I’d been poor as shit for my entire life. I’d learned to roll with it most days. Other times, like this morning, it punched me in the teeth.

I’ve never been hit in the face. My mother didn’t bother disciplining me. Though I saw men hit her and my aunt from time to time, no man has ever hit me, so I didn’t know. I couldn’t have known that the first hit, that baptism into violence, doesn’t just sting the flesh. It startles the soul.

Long Shot- Kennedy Ryan

His children were left behind, like a sock in a drawer that was almost empty, and that was a million times worse than if there was nothing left at all.

Bring Down the Stars- Emma Scott

I’m just a girl, standing in front of a salad, asking it to be a doughnut.

Lost and Found Sisters- Jill Shalvis

Ragged police tape swung from the columns. The double-wide front door had been blown open, like the house had died mid-scream. Like it is still screaming.

Every Deep Desire- Sharon Wray