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December 26, 2022 6 Comments

By Amy Barnes

My Alice wore a Paddington Bear coat the last time I saw her. I’d thought toggles might be easier for first-grade fingers, and yet he took her while she fiddled with them.

She’s wearing that coat on her ‘Missing’ poster.

Don’t staple her face! I yell at the volunteers wielding staplers and as much compassion as they can for a girl most haven’t met.

Some listen. Others tack her over and over on trees and telephone poles. No blood drips on her paper coat, but I wonder if she needs stitches.

Now, I button other daughters’ coats at school bus stops.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. 2912 says

    December 26, 2022 at 1:00 pm

    Successful emotional connection with the reader, Great hook & ending.

    Reply
  2. Andre says

    December 26, 2022 at 1:41 pm

    Powerful. Gripping. Artfully painful and beautifully articulated.

    Reply
  3. Scott Brian Blanke says

    December 26, 2022 at 4:47 pm

    Very powerful.

    Reply
  4. Cathryn says

    December 26, 2022 at 6:03 pm

    Hello Amy,
    I agree with 2912, Scott, and Andre.
    Perfection.

    Reply
  5. Bud says

    December 28, 2022 at 4:45 pm

    Chilling and impactful… great job conveying such a sensitive topic.

    Reply
  6. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    December 30, 2022 at 9:48 am

    Painful

    Reply

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