Summer stole her. Little amphibious body. Falling hot sky, burnt marshmallows. Adults believing her lies. People’s stories told in their sleeping sighs, the shape of their hips as they walked. Bloody fingers rubbed together in the rain. Whispers to boys behind mossy trees, into their fragile chests. Clinging damp bathing suits chilling in the sun. When she gets home, her mother watches her peel a layer of dead, burnt skin from the back of her hand. “What did you learn?” she asks.
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In September 2022 SmokeLong launched a workshop environment/community christened SmokeLong Fitness. This community workshop is happening right now on our dedicated workshop site. If you choose to join us, you will work in a small group of around 15-20 participants to give and receive feedback on flash narratives—one new writing task each week.