Excerpt: Cisco

Unhappiness settled in like an unannounced relative pounding the front door at three a.m. in the morning; denying its presence not an option. You know, Uncle Jimmy, struggling with gambling or alcohol or both…kicked out yet again by yet another girlfriend. Your sleep-fogged brain unequipped to offer assistance, or advice so you move out of the way and let Uncle Jimmy barge in. Maybe he’s on his cell phone, yelling obscenities at his bookie. Or was it his first wife? Maybe he’s crying, already sobbing his unpleasant story to you as he drops his overnight bag on the floor just to the right of the hallway entrance. Doesn’t matter, he’s here to stay, visitation length unknown. So it was with Claudia and her forlorn state of mind. She snuggled deeper underneath her covers. Maybe the darkness would ward away unhappiness’ unwanted occupancy.