Sublime

Amy was Rina’s roommate in college. She was the only person Rina ever pitied. Amy’s soul was a pack of cigarettes.

and Lee K. Abbott’s “Living Alone in Iota” to showcase voice.

sopping

obsidian gloss

incandescent.

past plastic crates—“Rescued Data,” the labels said.

Her hair was wiglike in overall configuration, but it had a high protein luster no real wig could ever duplicate.

Tenants who fell behind either had to accept unpleasant, degrading, and sometimes dangerous housing conditions or be evicted. But from a business point of view, this arrangement could be lucrative. The four-family property that included Doreen’s and Lamar’s apartments was Sherrena’s most profitable. Her second-most profitable property was Arleen’s