Frame

She rose from her chair and crossed the room to the dresser. Amongst the family photographs one particular frame called out to her. Tentatively she reached out and with tears welling up lifted the picture to her eyes. Staring lovingly she stoked the silver metal surrounding the image. Only last week had she spoken to him, only last week had they laughed and joked, their closeness an unbreakable bond, today that was all gone, over in the blink of an eye. That one telephone call had shattered her world, the words still ringing in her ears “your son is dead”.

Candy

Calmly, she entered the dimly lit room, her eyes darting ubiquitously, surveying the scene. Her friend had told her about this night and she was more than ready to give it a try. Three rows of tables, each highlighted with a single candle, on each table a place card, one would bear her name. Excitement began to rise within her, she flushed and felt that familiar shudder starting in the pit of her stomach. Around the room stood groups of men, she felt like a little kid in a candy store. The Black Widow had never been speed dating before.