C.B. Blaha

“But I am, Tony! I am!” she snapped as she stomped away while simultaneously lighting a Marlboro. Ardina walked to the pool and watched as other children played in the water. Their parents didn’t look all that different from Tony and her. Some were even smoking. They certainly weren’t the same caliber of people they’d encountered at Harris Ranch, but they were parents just the same. Why couldn’t Ardina be a parent? Why couldn’t she be the parent of the child to whom she gave birth? It just wasn’t fair that it had happened when she was so young. She could do better now. They could go far away to a place where nobody would recognize them, and she could get a job waitressing, or bartending. Yes, bartending! After all, why waste all that money she’d spent on Bartending School? She’d get better tips too. In her mind, it was decided. That’s what they’d do. When she returned to their campsite, Will was asleep, and Tony was nowhere to be found. With her mind busily formulating plans, she went inside the tent and sat next to Will.”
― C. B. Blaha