Semi-Daily Scribbles

A kid on the fringe, Mae's talent (survival skill, really) is her readiness to answer any question lobbed at her. She spits out the first thing that comes to mind when asked, "How old are you?" or "Where are your parents?" or "Did you sleep in the park last night?"

28

K.L.

I go where Sadalmelik and Sadalsuud are brightest.

Answers are easy, especially when there is so little variety in what is asked. Mae's quick thinking can be seen as a cover, out-and-out lies to hide behind. But Mae's learned along the way nobody likes bad news. The misfortunes of others make most people uncomfortable, and no one ever has anything interesting to say after a sob story. Mae keeps her conversations quick and light. There's nothing to know beyond what she tells the blue uniform, or the sandwich lady, or the boy on the bench with his teeth kicked in.