Tonia’s eighth month came with a new kind of silence—a heavy, uncomfortable one that settled in her bones and refused to leave. The kind of silence that creeps...

By her fifth month, Tonia’s stomach had rounded into undeniable motherhood. The local tailors by the roadside had grown familiar with her shape. She wore long, flowing gowns—mostly...

It was a warm Saturday morning when Tonia boarded a rickety bus from school to her parents’ house in Ikotun. She hadn’t been home in two months. Between...

Tonia’s hands trembled as she stared at the white plastic strip lying on the sink. The two red lines stared back at her—bold, unbending, unforgiving. Positive. The walls...

Austin, Texas — December 6, 1991. The air was cold, still, and unforgiving. The “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt!” shop on Anderson Lane had just closed for the...

Episode 8 Dex grasped her hand in his, giving her a firm shake before wrapping his arm around my waist. “It’s a pleasure to meet you ma’am.” Valerie...

NAUGHTY MATCH Episode 6 She looked behind her at Cameron as he lifted an arm up to covertly sniff one of his armpits. She turned her nose up...

Episode 6 I barely knew where to start with my explanation. There was so much garbage, so much fog, clouding my perfect little life that I could hardly...

NAUGHTY MATCH Episode 5 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –...

NAUGHTY MATCH Episode 4 …………….. And so the game went, minute after torturous minute of Dex teasing me with the rough glide of his slick fingers and his...

NAUGHTY MATCH Episode 3 …………….. The man sitting across from me was, inarguably, my best friend in the world but my patience with his bullshit had been gradually...

NAUGHTY MATCH Episode 2 …….. When I saw Dex’s car for the first time the day before, I hadn’t put much thought into it, only noting its obviously...