When I was in junior high school, I joined the debate team. I still don’t know why. I was awkward. I didn’t know how to speak up for myself at thirteen, especially when it meant arguing a point.

What I remember about being dropped off at the library for hours and hours of research was the team’s collective interest in two people. A couple. Who were dating. We followed them all over the hidden corners of the library, trying to catch them in various states of making out. Rather than report findings on our next great point for argument, we whispered about whether they kissed with tongue and whether we could see their hands and what they must be doing RIGHT NOW.Continue Reading

I’m not supposed to talk about my brother. No ranting about him to my husband. No skewering him with my friends. Especially no writing about him in public. Most of you didn’t even know I had a brother, did you? That’s how well I’ve followed an old directive.

Well. Screw that. Here’s to making up for lost time.Continue Reading

Dad is SUPPOSED to be working for me. He’s here for dual events to benefit Friends of the Library: a book sale at the Charleston Farmers Market yesterday, and an author appearance at the Charleston County Library’s Main Branch on Tuesday, June 24 at 6pm.

While he should have been handing out book cards and chatting people up yesterday, here’s what he was apparently doing instead.

A one-sided exchange with my mother. In his own (very cootie-fied) words.Continue Reading