SandScript 2023 [Digital Exclusive]

Cold Outside
Charcoal
Zayk Cronyn
He stole it. You know that he stole your mom’s ring. At that moment, staring at his
purposefully un-apostrophe-ed text message, there’s no doubt in your mind that your
sister’s boyfriend swindled your family.
The next morning, sitting at the breakfast table, you say, “Mom, I think Brent stole
your ring.” Mom looks shocked. Lindsey exclaims, “Mindy! How could you think
that?” “I know he did. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
“My boyfriend stealing our mother’s ring makes sense?”
“Why are you so surprised? You’ve only been dating him for three months. You don’t
know everything about him.”
“I know he’s not a criminal! What the hell, Mindy.”
“Girls, calm down!” your mom exclaims. Her brow is furrowed deeply. She turns to you. “Mindy, how
could you accuse Brent of such a thing? He’s a wonderful guy; he’d never do something like that.”
§
“You don’t know that,” you protest. “Lindsey only met him a few months ago; he could
be living a prosperous life of crime and she wouldn’t know it. And he’s got student loans
to pay off, he could use the money, and—and he tries to cheat in Scrabble!”
“For god’s sake, what does Scrabble have to do with any of this?” Lindsey practically screams at you.
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