Medical-alert

In the advertisement, an elderly woman thanks the company. After a fall, she immediately used the medical-alert device to signal for help. She is now alive. But…

"I can't stand that thing."

"How do you mean, Harriet?"

We are now dealing with Harriet and Gertrude. Real people, not women in advertisements.

"George is still alive, Gert."

Harriet had been married to George for 57 years when he fell and successfully used the device.

"Damn, Harriet. That reminds me of Frank."

Gertrude, too, had been married for 57 years, in her case to Frank, who had one of the devices also.

From Guest Contributor David Sydney

That Holiday We All Supposedly Love

I push in my code: 437. The sound mocking me as I snatch the clipboard off of its peg—the check list of the unforgiving. My job today: revision in the main isle. I garb my lime-green box-cutter. Time to unpack the new merchandise. I fill the cart with cardboard boxes and scoot to the holiday shelves. I slit open the tape and a waft of rich-bitterness hits my nose. I pull out the advertisement holder that holds crimson candy boxes with cartoon dogs saying, “I ruff you! Give me a kiss!” Lurking within, little cones of so called yummy.

From Guest Contributor McKenzie A. Frey