Cubism

By Ronald Allen

In a city where shadows linger long after the sun sets, Diana navigates a labyrinth of physical and emotional decay. Each step through her world is a testament to resilience-a climb through fractured reflections and silent weights. Her journey unfolds in an intricate tapestry of moments: the peeling paint of a stairwell, the oppressive silence of her apartment, and the haunting burden of unpaid bills.
In the warmth of her cozy living room, Little Susie sat nervously on the edge of her chair, her fingers twisting the fabric of her dress. Around her, a collection of personal items hinted at the life she carefully curated. A tube of lipstick, barely worn, sat next to a matchbox with a faded cartoon logo, holding a small stash of marijuana-a reminder of wilder days that now felt far removed from this moment. A single men's tennis shoe lay near the door, contrasting with a pair of sunglasses casually tossed onto the coffee table, their reflective lenses glinting in the afternoon sun.
Susie's heart thudded as she glanced at her cell phone, the contact for Robbie Robert highlighted on the screen. The room, usually her sanctuary, felt oddly exposed, as if every object carried a secret waiting to be unearthed. The bubble gum wrappers scattered near her vintage throw pillows brought a faint smile to her lips, a fleeting distraction from the weight of what she was about to do. She hesitated, remembering how Robbie's connection with Diana once felt like an intrusion into her carefully guarded world. But today, Susie was determined to reclaim her voice.
Taking a deep breath, she noticed a small Mickey Mouse hat perched on the bookshelf, a relic from an old trip with friends. It symbolized a simpler time, but now, as she dialed Robbie's number, it felt like a mocking reminder of how much had changed. The phone rang, and she held her breath, clutching a pencil in one hand as if ready to jot down the fragments of this critical conversation. Her mind raced, considering every possibility-would Robbie understand her vulnerability, or would he dismiss it as another quirk in their tangled relationship?
To her relief, Robbie answered with an easy familiarity that immediately calmed her nerves. Their conversation was tentative at first, but as Susie's voice grew steadier, the objects around her seemed to lose their weight. The vintage throw pillows no longer felt like shields; the lipstick and sunglasses became mere details of the room rather than symbols of uncertainty. When Robbie agreed to meet her, Susie felt a surge of clarity and courage. Her living room had transformed once again, no longer a stage but a witness to her resolve. This moment was more than a conversation-it was a step forward, a break in the silence that had defined her hesitation. As she ended the call, she glanced at the pencil in her hand, its tip worn but ready to sketch the next chapter of her story.
As Susie prepared for the upcoming conversation with Robbie, her eyes flitted across the scattered items in her living room, each carrying a story. A well-worn men's boxer short peeking out from under a throw pillow clashed with the bold femininity of a woman's bra hanging on the back of a chair. The juxtaposition felt oddly symbolic of the contrasts she was about to face. The faint scent of bubble gum lingered in the air, mingling with the faint musk of a recently snuffed joint tucked discreetly into a matchbox on the coffee table.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0DT9PP44L
• ISBN13: 9798307059616
• Release Date: January 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 306 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"